Giving wings to angels of our freedom

By Leslie Clapp

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Freedom is a word used liberally in today's social times, but the majority of young and old Americans alike who use it don't comprehend what this one, heavy-laden word truly encompasses.

Entitlement has manifested itself deep into the veins of this society. Avariciousness is what has fueled this society's adaptation to a distorted notion that we are somehow owed by our country and by its people.

Have we the people forgotten our past? Have we forgotten out of what dark depths we have risen as an independent nation? Have we forgotten at what costly bloodshed our freedom has come?

In layman's terms, freedom and sacrifice go hand in hand; they are the prime example of cost and effect: Freedom is bought at a high price, and without costly sacrifice we would have no freedom. We have the freedom to speak our minds, our opinions with boldness and directness. We have the freedom to write to the world what emotions we are overcome with; we have the freedom to exercise our beliefs openly; and we have the freedom to stand up and fight for what we believe, without fear of death.

It is true each individual in this world always has a choice, but not always the freedom to make it without fear of suppression like we do in this country. We are not subject to foreign domination. We don't live under a tyrannical government. Our country is land of the free and home to the brave because for more than 200 years, conflict after conflict, there have been men and women willing to incur the haunting sorrows of war for the price of our liberties.

We are gravely mistaken if we think our freedom has been free. Living without fear will always come at a price that only few are willing to pay. This gift has been handed down to us through the generations by men and women who have fought with valor not for what is in front of them, but instead what has always been behind them.

Words stand in the tremendous shadow cast by the sacrifices of many generations of Americans. We can only gratefully honor the eternal commitment they have made.

I have had the opportunity to witness over the years and more so just recently that Honor Flight has accomplished just this. People bruise, break, and grow old, sick and frail. Our sight grows dim, our limbs unsteady, and our minds forgetful. But on this momentous day, June 5, it was as if time no longer worked against us, but rather greeted us as an old friend.

Each step that we took along our way on this flight was another step that these men and women took to transcend the edicts of time - to rejoin their brothers and sisters in arms in kindred spirit, and lay peacefully to rest those who never returned home by their side.

When we walked through the airport terminal for the last time and greeted the beaming faces of friends, family and unfamiliar faces alike who welcomed these heroes home, it was as if these aged heroes were the vibrant, fiery youth of decades ago. Fond memories of the comrades they fought so courageously beside and the tears shed combined for one last farewell goodbye.

America, may we never forget at what cost our freedom comes.

Leslie Clapp is a senior at Marion High School/Marion Homeschool program. She is the daughter of Karl and Mary Clapp, both military veterans. Her mother was the president of the Honor Flight program for three years. Leslie had the opportunity to accompany her mother and her guardian on the June 5 Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Comments: lesliek.clapp@gmail.com