• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

Do You Take Your Freedoms For Granted?

January 18, 2016 By larryf

Freedoms. Do you take them for granted?

My freedom to vote, to voice my opinion, to wear what I want, work where I want, read what I want, attend church where I want; all are freedoms that we as Americans enjoy. If I am being honest with you and with myself, I know I take them for granted at times, but catch myself and work that much harder not to.

People and circumstances often remind me that our freedoms were, and are so hard fought for. To take any of those freedoms for granted is an insult to every person who has honorably served our country.

I look back over the past 18 years and am simply amazed at the amount of support and caring our local communities have for our veterans and those currently deployed. I say 18 years as that is how long I have been involved in Project Support Our Troops and most recently, co-founded Embracing Our Veterans. The bulk of my spare time is spent helping veterans and their families or thinking of additional ways to be able to help those in need.

This journey has been a humbling one. The people I have met and become friends with, and many I now consider family, are the bedrock that our communities stand upon. So many veterans, so many stories, so many needs. Each veteran a history book unto themselves.

It would be a grave injustice for any of us to not honor and/or thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Oh, if you could hear the stories I have been humbled by! History has been shared with me of horrific tragedy, fear, frustration; gut wrenching sadness, as well as those times of silliness and joy; the building of a brotherhood and sisterhood that never fades. You too may carry some of those stories. That part of you that is now a weight, be it a hard one to bear or one that lessens with time. You are a part of the history.

I have been honored and humbled to speak with and interview WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and so many other era veterans. I?ve talked with cooks, Special Forces, pilots and ?grunts? to Navy Seals. Each and every person providing their best to the area they served in, all spokes in the wheel. The history shared has left me sleepless, upset, filled with righteous anger, humbled and so very proud.

There are times, when patiently listening to a story unfold, I know I am willingly taking upon my shoulders the burden of another. If my doing that has been able to help someone, then that burden is worth it. I am no counselor, I am just someone who cares and is willing to listen.

I am certainly not alone in this, as there are countless other veterans and family members who do the same, each and every day.

Most veterans I know will put themselves out there to help a brother or sister, with their own pasts clinging to them, to carry a weight not their own for those who may be struggling or in need of a friend.

There is a great song many of you may know by the Hollies entitled; He Aint Heavy, He?s My Brother.

?The road is long, with many a winding turn.
That leads us to who knows where?who knows where.
But I?m strong
Strong enough to carry him.
He aint heavy, he?s my brother.
So on we go, his welfare is my concern.
No burden is he,

to bear, we?ll get there.
For I know, he would not encumber me
He aint heavy, he?s my brother.
?

For the journey that each veteran has traveled, I thank you. For the countless sacrifices and hidden scars you may carry, I thank you and I pray that the remainder of your journey is a peaceful one.

May God bless America and all who have fought and served to protect her.

Kim Lengling is an author, Co-Chair of Project Support Our Troops and Co-Founder of Embracing Our Veterans, a 501(c)(3) non-profit helping veterans in need. She can be reached at [email protected]

Filed Under: Articles, Kim

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. larryf says

    April 25, 2016 at 11:39 am

    Trust me, if you have a loved one in the military, you will not take your freedom for granted.

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • Autobiography Compares Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”
  • Peering Into The Future: NATO 2030 Initiative Announced
  • What Military Branch Sees the Most Combat?
  • From Belarus “With Love”, Yet Again

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x