Freedom. It's a word that means so much and can represent something so little. We are free to choose where we live, where we worship, what sports teams to cheer for, and the clothes we want to wear. We also have the freedom to be morons, pick our noses in public, and eat junk food all day.

We are free to dance and free to sing, even if we have no rhythm and are completely tone deaf.

We are free to drive an SUV, a hybrid, ride a bicycle, or walk. We are free to spend our paychecks on gasoline so we can go to work and earn more gas money.

We are free to travel, to see new places, and to visit family and friends. We are free to leave this country and explore the world.

We are free to jump out of a perfectly good airplane for the sake of a short-term adrenaline rush. We are free to climb the highest mountain even if it means we may die.

We have the freedom to choose what foods we eat. We are free to stuff ourselves while others go hungry. Sometimes freedom comes with a little guilt.

We have many other freedoms not listed above. More than anything we should be thankful to the men and women of many generations that fought for freedom here and abroad. Thanks to them we have the freedom of voice and the freedom to share it.

Robert W. Grayson

November 13, 1921 - July 5, 2005

U.S. Marine Corps 1943 - 1946 Active Duty, 1946-1964 USMC Reserves - Retired Major

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