Let's enjoy our freedom
 

by Tony Blaz - 
KUAM's Political Insider
December 17, 2004

It is said, "freedom is never free." when the founding fathers of our great nation embarked on the establishment of the United States of America, they endeavored to create a nation of free men, free from the tyranny of taxation and colonialism. They envisioned a nation and government where the principles of freedom and equality take on real meaning.

Even today, nearly 300 years later, we have come to accept and enjoy these freedoms in every aspect of our lives.

However, even the founding fathers discovered the harsh reality of the cost to gain and maintain the freedoms we often take for granted. Freedom it is said comes at a great cost. Throughout the history of our great nation, many thousands of our citizens have had to make great sacrifices to preserve our freedom. In today's world, our nation is faced with the biggest threat to our freedoms, our free society and even our way of life, the war on terror.

The war on terror being fought in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world like the Vietnam War hit home here on Guam in a very big way. Many of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters have been deployed and are waiting to be to be deployed in this conflict. They are single and married, middle-aged and young. They are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. They are our men and women who come from all walks of life here on Guam and are making many sacrifices on behalf of our great nation and our people.

Their sacrifices, their acts of courage, their dedication and devotion to our nation's causes are true examples of selflessness. I was very pleased to learn that in an effort to let our men and women know just how much their actions of selflessness means to all of us, Governor Felix Camacho has taken time to visit with our troops in Korea.

His father, the late governor Carlos Camacho, went to war-torn Vietnam not once but twice to spend time and spread some Christmas cheer to hundreds of men who were fighting in that war. We all need to do our part to show our men and women just how important the sacrifices they are making on our behalf. In this season of love and goodwill, let us embrace our brethren in our community.

To all of you who are wives, mothers, daughters, husbands, sons, and fathers of our men and women, we salute you and your families. We know during this season of Christmas the emptiness of the absence of your loved one who is away fighting for our freedom becomes even more pronounced. We wish you a very merry Christmas and all of our love and goodwill.

To our men and women from Guam and the Marianas, we want you to know that we are a grateful people. We salute you and wish you a very merry Christmas. We have you uppermost in our thoughts and prayers and as always we pray for your safe return to our homeland. 

Stand tall, stand proud, we are the voices that care here on Guam, and we are crying out loud: you are our miracle of Christmas! And we just want you to know how very grateful we all are!    

Tony Blaz hosts "Positively Local", a radio talkshow on Isla61-AM everyday from 6-10am