It was very moving watching the news about a month ago, seeing 132 WWII veterans, and hearing their comments after their return from Hero Flight. His destination, the World War II Memorial in Washington DC, is one of my favorites. At night, with lights that illuminate the granite columns and golden stars, the torrent of fountains and the muted tones in which everyone converse without realizing it, the monument takes on a unique and unmistakable reverence. It is a worthy tribute to the heroes who fought in that war, those who returned and those who did not.

As I watched the men of this great generation, all in their 80s and 90s, walk down the stairs of the plane, some were energetic and active disproving their advanced age. Most walked slowly and carefully, aided by canes and companions. Yet in every pair of eyes there is a pride that can only come from great achievement preceded by great sacrifice. Their white hair and hunched bodies now bear little resemblance to the once young and active soldiers, sailors and airmen who, more than 60 years ago, fought the greatest fight the world has ever known and won freedom for countries all over the world. the world and for generations. yet to be born. Heroic deeds were the order of the day back then. Even now, you rarely hear one of them talk about their accomplishments. It’s hard to tell if they are too humble or if they just don’t realize how remarkable, important, and meaningful their efforts were.

No less heroic are the veterans of the hundreds of clashes on a dozen or more battlefields since then: Korea, Vietnam, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iraq. They all have important traits in common, traits shared by their predecessors at Belleau Woods, Gettysburg, and Yorktown. What prompts a man to be willing to sacrifice himself to that point, to endure pain and deprivation, to leave homes, families, and loved ones to face death in battle? In a word: freedom.

Freedom, as a concept, is sometimes difficult to quantify. Thomas Jefferson said, “I would rather be exposed to the drawbacks of having too much freedom than those who attend too small a degree.” From Samuel Adams comes the charge, “The freedoms of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all costs.”

In truth, freedom is easier to understand as it is evident in our daily lives. Freedom is choosing our form and place of worship, or none at all. Freedom means education and safety for our children. Freedom means the right, even the obligation, to discuss matters of great and little importance without fear of retaliation. Freedom is summer nights at the baseball field, parades, Memorial Day and Independence Day, flags fluttering in the breeze, fireworks and the national anthem. Freedom is the essence of America and such an important part of our constitution that it is like the water we drink and the air we breathe. We have enjoyed it for over 200 years and believe it will always be ours.

So we thank the heroes. Is not sufficient. It will never be enough, but we thank you anyway.