LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: TO MY DAUGHTER ABOUT WAR AND FREEDOM

To the Editor,

This is a letter Dr. Mike Brown left on the pillow of his daughter's bed the night of June 6, 1994. It brings tears to my eyes because of his years in Vietnam and later in the Gulf War.

DIANNE BROWN

Cape Girardeau

Dear Sam,

Thank you for the hilarious father's day card and for the wonderful D-Day commemorative gifts. I will also treasure them and leave them for your care in the future. I know I must seem sentimental at times when it comes to such occasions as D-Day, but that is not the only remembrance that pulls at my heart string. It seems that our history is peppered by many wars and many famous battles, all of which has served an ultimate purpose -- we are still free people with liberties that even in this day and time other people around the world yearn. I don't consider all these events to imply that we are a nation which loves to go to war, but rather, we have always known the value of liberty and freedom. Unfortunately, it usually falls on the shoulders of the common man to defend these principles. I personally think such responsibility should be shared by everyone.

Over the years there have been three events connected to this premise that have moved me the most; the playing of taps at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington cemetery, the high water mark at Gettysburg, and my visit to Normandy last year. Ah, Normandy, what a moment. I also have to include the visit to Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill, during our trip to Boston. Without running the risk of being too sentimental, I can't tell you how important and moving the above events were. I'm so thankful that I had the means to visit these places and share the moment. They were all truly turning points in our history, and ultimately led to the preservation of our freedom. Don't forget this, regardless of what people around you might say. The actions taken during these events are worth remembering, and we owe our lives to these principles.

My own contributions to preserving our freedoms pale to the people who sacrificed their all, but I did show up when I was called, and served as honorable as possible. In my small part I made my humble contribution proudly. Most Americans don't appreciate their freedom. In the two times I have been in a combat zone, living under marital law, I was made painfully aware of my freedoms, and this was treatment at the hands of my own people. Imagine what it would have been like under one's enemy. No, freedom is precious, and always worth defending.

Love,

Dad