The Price of Freedom

This Fourth of July has been really hard on me emotionally. It is the second year celebrating Independence day at my in-laws house. They have a great view from their backyard, to see fireworks at Rockin'R Ranch. We invited my family over there this year because we were told that there would be no fireworks in Mesa. My family came and a harsh comment was made to them that them by one of my husbands aunts that because of all the "extra" people that came this year, that there would not be enough homemade ice cream. Needless to say, my family left shortly after because they didn't want to be the cause of david's family not getting enough ice cream, even due to my pleading that there would be enough. Not only that, my in-laws big family is EXTREMELY competitive at games and some comments were again thrown at my family how terrible they were in a round about way. I was hurt. I hadn't spent the last two fourths with my family and they were leaving because of a several harsh comments. I was upset all night and told my sister repeatedly how sorry I was for what happened. Emotionally I was a wreck and that carried on to the Sabbath

In church today, the relief society teacher told us this story: In 1868 the British were at odds and ends with America and had captured several patriots. Francis Scott Key, as a lawyer, was asked to negotiate to get our patriots back, which he successfully did. Shortly after, a British man came to him and said "our warships will be here in two hours and they are bringing the entire fleet. You can save yourself if you lower your flag at Fort Henry, thereby telling us that you have surrendered". Francis said "you don't understand, Fort Henry is being used as refuge for our wives and children" The ships arrived, and still the flag was not lowered. Francis heard the previously captured patriots praying amidst the bombing. In the morning, Francis looked at Fort Henry, and saw the flag was still there, the pole was bent and the flag shredded, but it still stood. He wondered why the flag was bent and not fully fallen down. Inside Fort Henry, he saw that men and women, dead, were piled around the flag. When one had fallen, another patriot replaced him, trying to protect the flag until they were all killed. However, there weren't enough bodies and so the flag bent to the side. Francis Scott Key, shortly thereafter wrote the Star Spangled Banner.

This story brought me to tears...I was still emotional. It suddendly dawned on me that not ONCE yesterday, had I or anyone else except my dad mentioned one thing about freedom, about those Saintly Patriots that DIED to keep us free. Who piled their bodies next to the flag to preserve that symbol (the flag) of our freedom, and yet mine and my extended family were too involved in eating ice cream, in playing games, in satisfying ourselves--being selfish, to realize that yesterday was the day that so many of our forefathers loved their country and their children and future Americans for decade to come, that they DIED to preserve out freedom. I haven't heard the Star Spangled Banner for two years now, and how sad it is that Americans, including myself, don't Breathe or pause for a little while on this day, to quietly and thankfully observe this day. Amidst the bombs, the patriots still prayed for their wives and children. How much do we love our families to talk to them about our forefathers, to say prayers of gratitude for allowing us to be free from tyranny, to be free to believe and practice what we want, to be free to express our gratitude for our government and military, and most especially to be free to worship and thank our Heavenly Father for preserving our freedom. What can we change so that our families and children understand the great service performed on our behalf on this Independence Day every year? What is the price we personally are willing to pay for freedom?

If we understood how blessed we are, would we be a little kinder to those around us? Would we make sure to see others needs are placed before our own? Would we thank those around us for the small acts of charity they do for us?