For generations, wise men and women have observed that “freedom is never free.” The price of freedom is hard work and sacrifice, faith and resolve, commitment to the principles of independence. And this is not a price we can pay just once. The bill comes due again with each successive generation.
One hot summer day, a little girl sat on a chair on the side of the road, waiting for a small-town parade to begin. She turned to her father, sitting beside her, and asked, “Why do we have parades? Why do people wave flags? Why do soldiers wear uniforms?” Her father smiled and explained that they were celebrating freedom. He reminded the girl of her grandfather who was once a soldier; how he traveled far away to help other people and to protect loved ones at home. The little girl waved her flag to the distant music and seemed to understand.
In the midst of our parades and celebrations, we might pause to ponder this child’s questions in our own heart. Why do we raise flags and hold parades? Because every time we see flags along city streets, every time patriotic music pours from marching bands, every time we whisper a prayer of thanks for the soldiers who safeguard our freedom, our hearts swell with loyalty and love for country. The brilliant fireworks, the parades, picnics, and parties all remind us of the freedoms we enjoy and the allegiance we pledge.
More than a passive appreciation, our loyalty to liberty activates within us a desire to protect, uphold, and pass on principles of freedom to the next generation.
As Ronald Reagan warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”1
Every boy and girl, every man and woman, can do his or her part to promote and protect freedom. And as we do, our hearts will swell with a loyalty to liberty.
1. In Ken Cuccinelli, “Reasserting Federalism in Defense of Liberty,” Imprimis, Apr. 2011, 5.
Program #4268
Musical Selection:
1. The Star-Spangled Banner
John Stafford Smith; arr. Frank Asper; Carl Fischer
2. America the Beautiful
Samuel A Ward; arr. Mack Wilberg; Oxford University Press
3. Semper Fidelis March (Organ solo)
John Philip Sousa; transcribed by Andrew Unsworth; Arrangement Unpublished
4. America, the Dream Goes On
John Williams; choral parts by Michael Davis; Arrangement Unpublished
5. Spoken Word
6. This Is My Country
Al Jacobs; arr. Michael Davis; Arrangement Unpublished
7. Yankee Doodle Dandy, from Little Johnny Jones
George M. Cohan; arr. Arthur Harris; Arrangement Unpublished
8. Battle Hymn of the Republic
William Steffe; arr. Peter J. Wilhousky; Carl Fischer
Music & the Spoken Word
A program of inspirational music and spoken word.