A couple weeks ago I was in Dallas, Texas. I went downtown Dallas and stood on the "X" 's where almost 45 years ago JFK paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It was so surreal to stand on the grassy knoll and look at the "X" in the road and realize greatness had passed this way. I was thankful to have visited that historical site where JFK had passed. In April 2008, PFC Adam Marion, Mt. Airy also paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country while in Iraq. Adam stayed in our home with my step-son, Adam Plummer (presently in Iraq) a few days prior to being deployed to Wisconsin and on to Iraq. After coming back from Dallas I stood at the bottom of the our stairs in the living room where Adam Marion and my step son had stood many months prior. Much like the "X" in Dallas the surreal spririt of awe and gratitude passed through my body and mind once again...I had been in the presence of greatness in this spot and didn't even say thank you to PFC Marion...had I known... Life has many "X"periences to come and standing in my living room and in Dallas that freedom has never been more surreal or true. Freedom for me means: First, a person should, out of moral conviction, pay for their Freedom by their contribution to society. They should be willing to work productively, realizing that their work contributes to the overall well-being (and Freedom) of all people. This work can be both the work they do for which they are paid, and any volunteer work they may enjoy and be suited for. Second, they should be willing to guard against political and economic tyranny and exploitation by the exercise of their Freedom of speech and their vote. Third, they should avoid using their Freedoms in a way which detract from their ability to pay back their debt to society for those very Freedoms. Fourth, thank the men and women in uniform (military, police, etc.) for defending our freedom and for their spirit of "willingness" to pay the ultimate price for our freedom and rights. Thank you JFK, thank you PFC Adam Marion, thank you Adam Plummer(Iraq), Adam Dunn(Iraq)& Andrew Crouse(Iraq)....thank God and may you have a surreal "X"perience of freedom today!!
Chuck Marsh Chuck Marsh talks about the risks our service men and women take daily just to allow us the personal freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
Leanne Petty Leanne says that patriotism is a learned trait, and parents need to instill this in their children to carry on the pride for America.
A couple weeks ago I was in Dallas, Texas. I went downtown Dallas and stood on the "X" 's where almost 45 years ago JFK paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It was so surreal to stand on the grassy knoll and look at the "X" in the road and realize greatness had passed this way. I was thankful to have visited that historical site where JFK had passed. In April 2008, PFC Adam Marion, Mt. Airy also paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country while in Iraq. Adam stayed in our home with my step-son, Adam Plummer (presently in Iraq) a few days prior to being deployed to Wisconsin and on to Iraq. After coming back from Dallas I stood at the bottom of the our stairs in the living room where Adam Marion and my step son had stood many months prior. Much like the "X" in Dallas the surreal spririt of awe and gratitude passed through my body and mind once again...I had been in the presence of greatness in this spot and didn't even say thank you to PFC Marion...had I known... Life has many "X"periences to come and standing in my living room and in Dallas that freedom has never been more surreal or true. Freedom for me means: First, a person should, out of moral conviction, pay for their Freedom by their contribution to society. They should be willing to work productively, realizing that their work contributes to the overall well-being (and Freedom) of all people. This work can be both the work they do for which they are paid, and any volunteer work they may enjoy and be suited for. Second, they should be willing to guard against political and economic tyranny and exploitation by the exercise of their Freedom of speech and their vote. Third, they should avoid using their Freedoms in a way which detract from their ability to pay back their debt to society for those very Freedoms. Fourth, thank the men and women in uniform (military, police, etc.) for defending our freedom and for their spirit of "willingness" to pay the ultimate price for our freedom and rights. Thank you JFK, thank you PFC Adam Marion, thank you Adam Plummer(Iraq), Adam Dunn(Iraq)& Andrew Crouse(Iraq)....thank God and may you have a surreal "X"perience of freedom today!! 
