May302010
Important Memorial Day Message
In Honor of Memorial Day
Like most people, I like to take a minute each Memorial Day to silently thank the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for this country.
However, this time year I started to wonder just how many soldiers have died defending our freedoms.
So I looked it up. It took a bit of research but the answer is…
1,311,732
That’s one million, three hundred eleven thousand, seven hundred thirty two Americans who died in battle.
To put it in perspective, the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium seats about 100,000 people.
The number of American soldiers who died in battle would fill over 13 football stadiums.
Which got me thinking: What is so important that over a million people would sacrifice their lives?
The civil war was about slavery (among other things.) World War 1 was about defeating communism… World War 2 was about defeating the Nazis. And currently our soldiers are fighting the war on terrorism.
But those are just surface explanations. I believe the REAL REASON so many American’s were and are STILL willing to fight and die in battle can be summed up with one word:
Freedom
Over a million people DIED so that we could enjoy freedom.
So to honor our fallen soldiers, I want to hear from you.
Please leave me a comment explaining what FREEDOM means to you.
– Russ
Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
hello russ,i thank god everyday for the blessing we get just for living in the great country of our.and very thankfull for all the freedom we have.as lee greenwood says god bless the usa.
May 30th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Freedom is the ability to do what you want to do when you want to do it without government or other intervention. It is the ability to achieve whatever you want however you want (within the bounds of moral and ethical restraints), with apologies to none for your success(or not achieve it if you are that lazy).
May 31st, 2010 at 9:49 am
Great Message. The America we know is a direct result of the men and women who have fallen protecting our right to be free. Liberty.
Who to worship, what to wear, capitalism, what to do for a living, these are all rights that have been fought for by our brave soldiers. It is because of them that we can say we live in the Greatest Country in the World. Thank you to all of them.
May 31st, 2010 at 10:31 am
What does Freedom mean to me…
My brother died for this country, Vietnam 8/23/68, a Green Beret, and believed to his last breath that this is the greatest country in the world, with freedoms beyond any other. That means freedom for me to publicly disagree with our President, to agree with the vote in Arizona and to stand up for what is right..our Constitution…the document that this country is founded on and that our present administration seems to “blow off”. Thanks you PVC William H. Bric for defending this country and making it possible for “my opinion’ to be heard as well!
May 31st, 2010 at 10:37 am
Freedom means that we can walk down the street without the
fear of having to hide from certain people that may arrest
and/or abuse us. We can say what we please without having to fear immediate arrest and taken to jail. We can get in our car and drive where ever we want
to without having to show I.D. We can cross borders of each and every state without recrimination. We can still worship
however we please in a church building wherever we please.
We should all thank God and praise His name that we can still do that. We can still pledge allegiance to our flag “under God” and sing American the Beautiful. Even with all the conflict we STILL live in the best country on the planet Earth! Thanks to all the soldiers that died so that
we can have these freedoms. Thank you, Russ, for giving me an opportunity to say that. God Bless America!
May 31st, 2010 at 10:40 am
To me : Freedom represents the ability(power) to know right from wrong, and be able to choose the difference.
Change: Requires a person to come up to a higher level of existance. People are not afraid of change – they are afraid of loss. When the loss is greater than making the change itself, then change happens. Acceptance is the key to change. Then there is peace.
(Author – me ‘1998′ )
May 31st, 2010 at 10:52 am
Talofa Russ,
Thank you for this blog. Thanks for remembering our veterans and the brave American souls who gave their lives for our FREEDOM since the founding of our country. Wow, 1.3 million people sacrificed their lives so someone like me can voice my opinion about anything at any time and not worry about repercussion from my government. As a veteran myself, I am in awe at the many sacrifices that our fellow Americans make everyday on behalf of the little things we take for granted in our lives. Just the freedom to look for notes and engage in the process of negotiations in pursuit of a better life, I owe it to our veterans. As I sit here blogging, I am reminded and thankful for the right and freedom to wake up and drink my coffee, eat breakfast and spend quality time with my mother and son without being dragged out of my home by imperial troops or forced to work at a labor camp for some renegade regime. Russ thanks for giving me the opportunity to blog on your site in memory of our veterans. I have made it a committment to teach my son good, decent and honest moral values and to never take anything for granted. Lets all do the same with all our children and pass it down throughout the generations. Remember, FREEDOM is not FREE.
In case you’re wondering I am blogginng from American Samoa. And the word Talofa means hello or welcome in my Samoan culture.
God bless America and every soul that believes in freedom.
May 31st, 2010 at 11:26 am
Talofa Lagofaatasi,
Your words touched my heart and I could feel them. Thank you.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:35 pm
I can’t believe there are no comments!! I have an uncle that was in (Army) 3 wars..WWII, Korea, Nam. My father was Air Force WWII. Freedom comes at a VERY high price, God bless our soldiers wherever they are!!!!
May 31st, 2010 at 12:15 pm
After reflection, I find freedom can be summed up for me as the right to speak freely, act according to my conscience, exercise my ability to follow my dreams to the extent of my capacity and extend my caring to this world and its inhabitants without coercion by some dictatorial power. I would extend this freedom to all.
I hope everyone’s Memorial Day is as satisfying as mine has been.
May 31st, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Freedom…our lives, true ideals and our unalienable rights as stated in “The Declaration of Independence” and “The Constitution and it’s amendments” continue on and are still held up for all to see, know, enjoy and to be fought for. The Tree of Liberty will always need to be occasionally nourished with the blood of those who will fight for Liberty and Freedom. To me it still means sacrifice as well as home, family, apple pie and all the good things in life….all of which have a price tag which someone has to pay. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the extent of the price that is paid.
God Bless All of our Military Personnel and Veterans, past and present.
Richard
USAF 70-74
May 31st, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Thank You Richard for your service and Welcome Home !
June 1st, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Freedom means the ability to make our own choices in life, to provide for our families and to celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in a land that no other rivals. In summary, freedom means the United States of America…built on the shoulders of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice yesteryear and today. Abraham Lincoln said it best I think:
“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
May God Bless the United States of America!
May 31st, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I think God for America today. This is why we have brave men and women fighting for our country. This is what freedom is to me. They are protecting our country from people who don’t like us very much. I’m glad I live in America.
Thank you
Barbara Babb
May 31st, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Hi Russ,
“Freedom” to me is the ability to do what I desire. To make my descisions for education, work, religion, to woship as I see fit, to vote for my political candidate, etc. I can even make the kind of cash that I want. I can pay tithe as the Lord instructs me to. And best of all I can keep all 10 of Gods’s commandments as he wants us to.
Russ, I am a Vietnam Veteran and I’m very familiar with what “Freedom” means to me.
Sincerely,
David Clarke
May 31st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Thank You David for your service and Welcome home.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I went in to the Military so that when I got out I didn’t have to worry that I would be jailed for voicing my opinons or ideas. I volunteered to go overseas so I would not be speaking Vietnamese. I have four boys: one served in the Navy,one served in the Army, one in the Marine reserves and one is a career Marine and is presently in Afganistan. All of these sacrifices were made so that my family and I could be called Free Americans. I am very proud that none of my boys were drafted they all volunteered. The career Marine is a Mgysgt and has 27 years on his way to thirty.
God Bless America. Ron Earwood
May 31st, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Thank You Ron, and all your sons, for your service and Welcome home.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Freedom to me means the freedom to pursue that means by which war will never be necessary to defend the right to freedom ever again!
John
May 31st, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Freedom is not free. I am very blessed to believe in a God who has kept me safe during two tours in Iraq. At the time I wasnt sure how it was going to end but in the end I have been very blessed. I have the freedom to do as I please and 3 weeks ago was able to marry the lady of my dreams. Just remember freedom is not free and you should thank a veteran today.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Thank You James for your service and Welcome home.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Freedom, in it’s broadest sense, means the absence of restriction. However as meant here, those that have died defending freedom (notably not always in the military) have done so because they have thought their ways of life, their customs and traditions, indeed the ideals (if not always the manifestation of those ideals) of their very government are worth fighting — and even dying for.
As a veteran, I want to thank those other veterans that have served their country on this Memorial Day and to remember our fallen comrades who paid the ultimate price so that we might remain the United States of America.
Thank you Russ, for inviting this important dialogue and providing this forum where we can exercise — freedom of speech — in addressing what freedom means to each of us.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Thank You Larry for your service and Welcome home.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I am a Combat Wounded Vietnam Veteran and I would like to thank all Veterans for their sacrifice both alive and the familys of the deceased. I enjoy observing all of God’s creations. I am thankful for all that the Lord has given me. A vehicle to drive, a home to live in, a bed to sleep in, food to eat and most of all my Family.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
May 31st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Thank You Howard for your service and Welcome home.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Thank you Russ for your tribute to our heroes ! Like they say ” Freedom is not Free” and we owe alot to those who served our Freedom.People do not realize that all of those who have seen combat have given their lives for this cause of Freedom, whether they make it home again or not. Those who do come home are never the same for the rest of their lives.
Thank you again and have a great day celebrating and remembering our heroes.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I wish to add further thought…
None are truly fed until all are fed –
None are truly sheltered until all are sheltered –
None are truly free until all are free.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
This country was built upon the bravery and blood of many good people over the years. God bless them all.
The freedoms we hold dear are not infinite and are in danger today as never before. If we fail to fight this marxist intrusion into our culture, we will all become second class citizens in a declining civilization. I call upon all veterans and patriots to endure and fight to reclaim our country. Remember in November.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Hey, Russ! Freedom is all things the word implies. For me it is a privilege given by those one million, three hundred eleven thousand, seven hundred thirty two individuals who loved this country enough to die for all it stands for. I did not serve in the military, but if I had, it would’ve been in the Navy, as have all the other men in my immediate family. I got teary-eyed as a child, looking into the sky from my classroom at old glory, thinking how much I loved it and how lucky I was to be born under it. This America. The Great Experiment. I still get teary-eyed and my heart bursts with joy at the sight of it. The Flag of the United States of America. Founded on Christian principles, without which we would not have survived. God Bless America!
May 31st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
It is fitting that we’ve an annual day to remember, honor, and be grateful for the soldiers who laid down their lives for freedom, our freedom. If it weren’t for them, we might have so much LESS freedom, freedom that we take for granted so much of the time.
Freedom can be described in many ways. Freedom is having, making, pursuing, enjoying, and being grateful for choices.
May 31st, 2010 at 4:33 pm
American Freedom is unique, precious and comes to each citizen at a very high price. As we move forward in time and look back at what our fore-fathers brought forth with God inspired principles it is our responsibility to uphold the values of freedom. For each 1,311,732 who died for our Freedoms I remain indebted and thankful. I am honored to be an American and believe the freedoms we have are to be protected. In an imperfect world we have the best! I remain vigilant in fulfilling my responsibility.–Will You?
May 31st, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Hi Russ.
Freedom to me,is being able to do what you want,when you want,without having to answer to anyone!
May 31st, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Mr Dalbey; thanks for taking the time to find out how many lives have been lost in order for us to have the freedom that we enjoy. Chances are most of the country do not know those facts, chances are some people don’t even know that a family member of theirs was one of them…May God keep those individuals in a very special place who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
God Bless…!!!
May 31st, 2010 at 6:32 pm
It is a good question that has been asked,
“What does FREEDOM mean to you?”
Political freedom
Religious freedom
economic freedom
freedom of location
freedom of thought
freedom to voice an opinion
freedom of association
freedom of choice
All these freedoms and more have been restricted at one time or another in our not too distant past. As an example, the writers and compilers of the first Encyclopedia were hunted and killed only a few centuries ago, as was also the first person to translate the Bible into English (William Tyndale was killed in 1536 see Wikipedia). Why? Because some men thought it would be dangerous for the general public to read these books.
Even today there are people who think they know better than anyone else how everyone should act or spend their money. Given a chance they would enslave us so that they can force us to act the way they think we should act, or do what they think we should do. Luckily, there are also people who will stand up for not only their own freedom but the right of others around them to also live free of this oppression.
Today, we honor not those who fought for our freedom, but those who died for our freedom. Do we value our own freedom so greatly that we would die to protect if for our children, our parents, our wives or husbands? Do we value your own freedom enough to even give thought about those who did? Take a minute to give thanks for those who died to allowed us the opportunity to live in the midst of freedom.
May 31st, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Freedom, means the ability to say what you feel, worship where you want, dress as you like,choose what you do, move freely from state to state and not be smothered by government. Sadly we are starting to lose some of our freedoms granted by our constitution and that is a shame, because as you state, so many have given their lives to preserve that precious gift.
May 31st, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Hello Russ, I cant count how many times I’ve heard the chant of freedom in this country, but every time I do, I get a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest. I’m a gulf war veteran and never have I felt the importance of freedom than now. I have always believed that the american dream was something a person accomplished and wasn’t given or inherited. I made a promise to my father, a retired vietnam veteran marine, long ago that I would become financially free before I turn 45. I turn 40 this year and I haven’t reached that goal, but I know with hard work and perseverance, I will reach my goal of freedom.
I hope everyone’s memorial day is as memorable as mine.
May 31st, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Thank You Darrin, and your father, for your service and Welcome home.
June 1st, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I believe that freedom is achieved in many ways. For some
it is simply to do what you want, when you want. For others
it is to simply feel the freedom by not waking up to alarm clocks.Not having to work for someone to only make them more money, and none for yourself. This is what freedom means to me. It is time to make things for myself, live life on my terms. That’s true freedom..
I thank all those who have served and god bless there families.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Freedom to me…is being able to wake up everyday knowing with each and every breath I take, I am in control of the events that happen in my life. I am so grateful for those men/women who died in service of this indeed great country of ours!! God bless their families and loved ones. We should thank those in service now who are fighting right now for the freedom we have today and the last day we have on this earth.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Scotty— I agree so much that we have to take care of our troops once they come home also. We owe them so much and they need many services when they return to our country.I hope people remember this when it’s time to vote.
June 1st, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I am the oldest child in my family and my brothers were quite younger than me so they did not fight in the wars, however my father did and won honors for his performance which I have always been proud of. But I still send money to companies that support all of the solders who have kept our country from harm. I’m very very lucky to live in the United States, where our history is to give our lives to provide freedom and goodwill to all men and woman. And our commitment to forward the lives of people and their countries in having a life of freedom and wealth.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:33 am
Russ,
I also praise The Great One, for making USA, a good nation.
That was a good word that you gave. I am going to start my witcfb soon. sincerely,Udo.
June 1st, 2010 at 2:16 am
Those 1,311,732 fallen soldiers are the only reason I am even able to comment on what freedom means to me. Because of them I am able to wake up every morning and choose how I will spend my day. I am so blessed. And for that, I am thankful. So, today I choose to exercise my rights. I will think only good thoughts, I will work a little harder, I will listen a little more, I will speak a little softer and I will love a little deeper.
Brightest Blessings to all,
Dyana
June 1st, 2010 at 2:30 am
How are you my friend Mr.Russ Dalbey, Freedom to me means Peace of the mind,body,and soul able to just live an life in which we lead. Thank you Much love to all the soldiers, love God, Peace.
June 1st, 2010 at 7:30 am
FREEDOM
The right to still bare arms.
To make decesions on our own, without goverement interference .
The Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones ” To allow our Freedom to Continue!”
The ability to walk down the street,without Fear!
Freedom Of Speech, not told what to say, or; do for Media, or; otherwise.
The right to LOVE THE LORD without fear!
The sacrifice our soilders have went through, ” Death, POW’S, MIA’S” to keep us FREE & give us ” FREEDOM”!
Fly our FLAG FREELY! THANKS TO THEM!
I believe we should ” HONER OUR BRAVE MEN & WOMEN EVERYDAY! NOT ONLY ON MEMORIAL DAY & VETERERNS DAY! THEY ARE WHY WE STILL HAVE FREEDOM”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lance Arnette
June 1st, 2010 at 8:21 am
Dear Russ, So many people killed,so many more wounded, so many hurt physically and all hurt mentally, My religeous beliefs as a Christian lets me thank God everyday for every blessing God grants…Sometimes we as humans forget to ask God, we become vain and tell God, I don’t have the authority to tell God to bless the troops, but I do have the blessing of being able to ask God to bless and keep the troops safe through prayer. Through Jesus Christ, His Son …With my freedom I am not persecuted..without my freedom it would be unbearable..It is not a perfect world and will not be a perfect world until Jesus returns…So until He returns I ask God to Bless and keep the United States Free, to keep our Soldiers safe and that those who have gone on before, we thank you for the all you have given.
June 1st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Freedom provided by those who fought and also died ultimately allowed me to grow up during the years where we had Bible reading and prayer in school everyday. We said the pledge of allegiance to the flag every morning before class started. Prayer was always offered before we went to lunch. No one objected back then and there was a resident sense of security; no oppression, no fears, no secrecy, no hiding; just freedom!
Many men and women still believe with all their hearts it’s worth it to voluntarily put their very lives on the line to maintain our freedoms and I appreciate that from the deepest recesses of my heart. My heart swells with pride everytime I see the American flag waving high in the wind and humbly remember who put it there and kept it there. Men and women have such strong convictions they’ve fallen rather than allowing our flag to fall to the ground. Long may she wave!
Thanks to all who gave all for us all.
God abundantly bless the USA, the troops and their families.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:04 pm
FREEDOM: the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like. Thanks to ALL of our brave men and women!!!
June 1st, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Freedom means the ability to control your life without being told what you can or can’t do or where you can or can’t go.
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I believe that is true about the veterans/military dying for our freedom, but you know the one true person who died for us all on the cross 2000 years ago was Jesus Christ and he sacrificed his home in Heaven with God our Father…….
I thank the Lord however for those whom did die and what they sacrificed with their lives and their families as well.. I will keep those left behind in my prayers and my heart… The blog you left is a blessing and thank you much for it.. This will touch alot of people and families…
Be blessed Mr. Dalbey and keep pressing…
I haven’t got my first note deal, but I will, I just know I will….. Gwen Nickens – Trans. Asst.
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:59 am
after 20 yrs in the navy
freedom is the right to think and say what I feel ,with out having to worry about what is going to happen to me or my family.
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:08 pm
FREEDOM is the Ultimate High of being Free. It is a privilege! Someone died for you! It’s Hot tears, and it’s sorrow. It cost someone something, for you and me. Who would die for you?? Christ did, soldiers do, and loved-ones do. So Thank God Almightly, Thank the soldiers, the troops and your love-ones and their families too, for the sacrifices endured. Freedom, always comes with a price, it is not free. We must and should continue to Honor All who serve and All who sacrificed their lives for us. I am privileged to be an American living the dream, reaching for the stars untold. Yes,I know its not a perfect world but its close to none. Thank God it was founded on Christian principles. Thank God for the USA!! Thank God for America!! (We are the Privileged!!) Thank God!!!
June 5th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
My grandfather was in war2.My two uncles in another war,and a nephew still serving.I could of miss some but I know I am thankful that they didn’t die in war.I do pray almost every day for them serving.May God bless them and their famlies.
June 6th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
To me, it mean everything, you are giving up everything. MY husband serice in the US Navy, my son was born without a father being home. We would see him every six months. thats mean for half a year he choose not to have freedom but to put his life on the line for his family and every other American people. And I praise God for him and the freedom we have here at home.
June 7th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Memorial Day; Celebrating all of our veterans from the wars, through out the years, and today. My wife has had five or six uncles in the army, navy, airforce, and marines. My father was a vetran in the army, and navy. these are all our fallen soliers no matter what war they were in. God Bless them all. And once gone. God takes care of them for eternity. God bless you and yours. Thank-you Gratefully, Roy & Rose Hawkins
June 8th, 2010 at 1:13 am
freedom isn’t free
it never has been
and it never will be
June 9th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Good article Thank you so much
June 13th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Freedom means to me that my grandchildren would not have stuggle to pay bills buy things they need and want, and be ready to help some one else do the same.
July 19th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Russ
Very Throughtful of you to remember our fallen soilders who forth for their country and when they are able to return home they are either homeless or no job. I think that when you have serve in any Army you should be granutee a place to live and money to take care of your on going needs until you find work.I have respect for all you have served and returned home. God Bless you and all our soilders alive or gone to be with our Father.
Sincerely,
Beatrice
August 10th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Richard OTTO , says,Freedom is not free , I quote, James Mc Quain, from your commet page NO. 16. Thanks for serving Jim, GOD BLESS you, My commet is If you think freedom is free maybe you shoud talk to a D,A,V, these Americans are living for the rest of their lives the sacrifices they have paid in full for freedom.WE all must support the Disabled Americans Veterans for the rest of lives every year. Freedom is EVERYTHING , without it we are NOTHING, Really think about it.GOD BLESS AMERICA .Richard Otto, U.S.N.R.WW2,4 yrs,retired.
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:49 pm