Home  >  Town News  >  Freedom is Not Free

Freedom is Not Free

OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR
TOWN OF RAMAPO
237 Route 59
Suffern, New York  10901
(845)  357-5100     Fax: (845)  357-3877

Christopher P. St. Lawrence
Supervisor 

 

Freedom Is Not Free!

May 13, 2008

Engraved in granite at the Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City are the words of Robert Pinsky 39th Poet Laureate of the United States:

         Less eager than willing.  More dutiful than brave.

         Brave when required, democracy’s children

         They give their service far from home as victors

          not conquerors in freedom’s name

This simple phrase captures so clearly the spirit and solemnity that we commemorate here today.  Those who have made this ultimate sacrifice were certainly not eager to die or sustain the great suffering and pain they endured, but they were willing; willing to make this great sacrifice in the name of freedom.  They were brave when required, but were motivated not by bravery but by duty to God and Country.  They are truly democracy’s children who selflessly died for their Country.  They came as victors, as liberators never as conquerors and always in the name of freedom.  They perished far from home, frequently alone without the comforting touch of parent, spouse or child.  They went to war willingly with full knowledge that they may never see their loved ones again.  They left their children who would never again know the gentle touch or encouragement of a parent.

We knew them as brothers and sisters, as husbands and wives, as children.  They gave us hope and faith in the future.  They gave us strength to overcome tyranny and human bondage.  They gave us freedom.  They often did not know why they were called to this duty or why they were asked to make this sacrifice.  They only knew that their nation called and they willingly answered.    

For those who have lived and died in service to their country, simple remembrance is not enough.  We must promise to reflect, teach and to educate.  We must tell stories of their bravery, courage, valor and selfless commitment to duty, we must promise never to forget their supreme sacrifice.  These my fellow Americans are democracy’s children. 

We must teach our children of the sacrifice of our veterans.  We must teach them that their freedom today has a long history of strife, struggle and sacrifice.  We must teach our children that the society they enjoy today was protected by the lives of our fallen soldiers.

May God Bless all who died for the cause of freedom and may God Bless America!

Big Screen Classics – Saturday, May 17th – “Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938) starring Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland.  Legendary nobleman Sire Robin of Locksley, defender of downtrodden Saxons and the English throne, is forced to become an outlaw when Prince John the usurper tries to seize power during the absence of his crusading brother, King Richard the Lion-hearted. 

Pre-show organ concert with Jeff Barker at 11:00 AM and the film begins at 11:30 AM.  Ramapo Seniors are free and all other tickets are $7:00.  For further information, call Phil Tisi at 357-5100 ext. 201.

Support Our Troops Concert – Sunday, May 25th – “Salute to our Armed Forces” starring the Great “Wrenditions” singing Doo-Wop and the “Tercels 8-piece Band playing and singing music from the 50’s and  60’s.  Doors open at 2:00 PM and the Program is 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM at Rockland Community College Arts Theater, 145 College Road, Suffern.  Ticket prices:  Senior Citizens $15.00 and all others $20.00.