Column: Freedom inherited across generations – Hickory Daily Record

Back in 1976, the bicentennial anniversary of the United States, David Araial wrote a drama called The Inherited Freedom. The thought behind the drama was that a free America was gained by our ancestors, and each generation must do its part for the next.

David was the first formal artist-in-residence in Caldwell County. He was attached to Caldwell Community College. Davids greatest role was helping revive community theatre. He designed the theatre at the college that became the home of Foothills Performing Arts.

David spent a lot of time on The Inherited Freedom. He studied local history and the relationships among local, state and national actions in the Revolutionary War. We as in the people of the Catawba Valley area indeed played a vital role in winning freedom. There is a strong argument that the rebellion would not have succeeded without the heroics of patriots in battles such as Cowpens, Ramseurs Mill, Kings Mountain and Guilford Courthouse.

It was an outdoor production that required building a new set. The drama was well-received.

I was looking up something else when I came across an old newspaper editorial about Americas inherited freedom that was inspired by the bicentennial drama. The inheritance of liberty is passed down from one generation to the next. It is up to the current generation to ensure continued freedom.

We meaning our great country are like a very large family. Some of us do the heavy lifting in defense of home and hearth, others support the country by supporting its defenders and our method of government. There is no unimportant way to nurture liberty. The home front and the far-flung battle lines cannot exist without each other.

We are committed ideally to not leaving anyone behind.

Our family America is like individual families: Some families produce offspring, some produce the next generation of leaders or, at the very least, the next wave of patriots who will defend freedom at all cost. Not one American, however, is exempt from preserving the essence of liberty. Every citizen is eminently qualified.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." Who said that? President Ronald Reagan.

Its something to think about.

I had a great time at the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival. Ive seen fireworks all over the place and heard tributes to our beloved veterans and those in uniform right now. I enjoy my freedom.

I realize, however, that I can hardly match the achievements of my father and his generation: The Greatest Generation. I was not among the thousands in my own generation who went to war.

My daddy and people like him gave me the opportunity to write words that extol service, achievement and liberty and urge others to be the best citizens they can. Citizenship includes speaking out against wrong and anything that could lessen the stature of our America our national family.

I am content in the promise that even if glory passes me by, I will maintain honor and commitment to my inherited freedom, with gratitude to those who have paid a heavy price for me.

Here are some comments for this holiday week.

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. Franklin D. Roosevelt

(And we must remember that government is of the people and limited to only those powers and abilities we grant. Freedom gives us the right to bestow where government is concerned.)

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed. Martin Luther King Jr.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Thomas Paine

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it. Mark Twain

I simply could not resist the quote from Twain. Teddy Roosevelt said something quite similar about the presidency.

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Column: Freedom inherited across generations - Hickory Daily Record