Freedom Is A Gift Given To Us By Heros.

This is my Grandfather Jack.

When I was about 5, I asked him why he served in (His Majesty’s Royal Navy) WWII.

I remember his answer like it was yesterday.

“I went to war, because I wanted you to have a life without war.”

I tear up just writing it.

(Imagine Jack having the presence of mind to put something so powerfully, so simply, to his 5 year old grandson, that his words still echo in my mind.)

On Memorial Day in America, as we enjoy BBQs and beers.
Let us not forget.

Peace, freedom and democracy are gifts.
Given to us by heroes.

Let us not forget.
But for our military heros, there would be no America, no freedom, no civilized world.

Let us not forget.
Less than 10% of people on our planet live in a functioning democracy.
(And the world is becoming less, not more democratic)

Let us not forget.
Right now evil regimes hate the values we stand for.

Let us not forget.
Right now evil regimes want us dead.

Let us not forget.
Today, more than at any other time since the end of WWII, we have a responsibility to be diligent, clear eyed and courageous.

And, let us not forget.
We have a responsibility to be good ancestors.
To give future generations, the gift legendary heros gave us.

God Bless you.
Happy Memorial Day.

🇺🇸☮️💪🏻

Christopher Lochhead

May 25, 2024

Northern California

"Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic"

- US General George S. Patton