Thank you, veterans, for defending freedom

There’s an oft-repeated saying that is very true and very timely for the Memorial Day holiday, “Freedom isn’t free. Thank a veteran.”

So to all the veterans out there, thank you.

The Memorial Day holiday is observed in the United States to honor those who have given their lives for our great country. Started after the Civil War, the holiday has lived on as the U.S. has fought world wars and wars on terrorism. With the recent killing of Osama bin Laden, I paused to think about the sacrifices made by our military members who have been sent to far off lands to maintain our liberty as we have come to enjoy it.

Too often we get caught up in the political drama of the moment — like in the recent contentious special session — and fail to truly appreciate what we have and how we achieved it. From the soldiers in Continental Army who fought with Gen. George Washington, to the solider from Fort Richardson who is missing his family while hunting terrorist groups, the United States certainly has an exceptional breed of individual.

While not all Americans may support every war, we always support the troops sent to fight. And while we may not always agree on policy, philosophy or ideology, what we can all agree on is we’re all Americans, we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The folks who make up our government may not be perfect, but the United State’s system of self-government is the best on Earth. Just reading the news and learning of people living in countries where freedom takes a back seat to totalitarianism saddens me, but, at the same time, fills me with a feeling of pride and fortune that I’m lucky enough God has let me call Alaska, and the U.S., home.

Which brings me back to our troops; the men and women in service to their country who perform their jobs without question. Make no mistake, I struggle with and don’t like war and, of course, would be happy if world peace really prevailed. But that is not the world we live in, nor, I fear, will it ever be. It’s not the world our ancestors lived in. There are those who would endeavor to do harm to the United States, and our ranks of volunteer soldiers are the only ones standing between us and them.

George Washington said it best around the time of the Revolution: “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for war.”

This doesn’t mean looking for war, but knowing what we have in this republic is precious and will defend it vigorously.

So, thank you to the men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Thank you for being there, ready to defend our great nation. Thank you to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless our troops, God bless Alaska and God bless the United States of America.

Sen. Linda Menard represents District G in the Alaska State Senate.