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EDITORIAL

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President Farmer Op-Ed

Freedom is Not Free

July 22, 2024

An array of flags, including the United States flag and several military flags, displayed in front of a brick building with a row of pink flowering bushes.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. respectfully honors the 36,574 American service members and over 7,200 members of the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War. Included in the memorial are 19 statues representing a squad on patrol, a granite wall bearing the names of the fallen, and a pool of remembrance. Finally, an adjacent granite wall boldly proclaims the inlaid message that, “Freedom is Not Free.”

When the communist government of North Korea launched an attack on South Korea on the morning of June 25, 1950, the United States immediately answered the call to defend the democracies of the world. The three-year brutal conflict threatened to escalate into a much larger regional if not global conflict, but ultimately resulted in a negotiated settlement that established a new border along the 38th parallel.

Every day, American military servicemen and women place themselves in harm’s way around the globe to protect our freedom. Less than one half of one percent of all Americans are currently on active duty in the military. That means that less than one half of one percent are protecting the other 99 plus percent of us. It is their sacrifice, and that of their families, that allows us to freely pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Freedom is not free.

While our brave military men and women protect us around the world, others work on a daily basis right here at home to preserve our American freedom. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” James A. Garfield stated, “Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.” Our educators are also critically important in the preservation of freedom.

Weatherford College plays a crucial role in educating our community members so that they may in turn become more informed, productive members of society. An educated citizenry more fully understands the importance of freedom and the American way. Furthermore, an educated citizenry works to build our societal institutions and preserve our high quality of life for future generations.

We are collectively so fortunate to have brave military men and women who protect our freedom, and committed educators who inspire future generations to preserve our freedom. We need to collectively support them. Lyndon B. Johnson said, “Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake, but for the future of our nation’s sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not our military preparedness – for armed might is worthless if we lack the brainpower to build world peace; not our productive economy – for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government – for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.”

 Freedom is not free.

 

Tod Allen Farmer

President, Weatherford College


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