“For those of you that do not know, 2.6 million young men and women served in the Vietnam conflict. Of that, 58,000 gave their lives,” said Freeman. “Eventually the harsh words from home and the memories have faded, but their legacy has not, and will not. Freedom is not free.

“When you're younger, it's hard to realize and appreciate what you have. It's hard to understand how blessed you are to wake up everyday and already have the world by the tail, simply because you are an American. As you get older you begin to realize the good things in life are not accidents. Indeed, the really good things are the exceptions to the chaos and disappointment that often characterize this temporal world. The truly great things in life don't just happen, they require great sacrifice. Freedom is not free.”

Freeman said the call for freedom can sometimes get lost amid the goals and desires of Americans, and if that call is not answered by the men and women of the armed forces, Americans could lose one of their greatest national resources.

“The desire for it (freedom) to be in every human heart is the exception in the world, rather than the rule. Freedom does not spontaneously combust. Without those willing to make great sacrifices for freedom, and even die for it, we would ultimately have peace, but not freedom,” said Freeman. “Freedom is not free. Young people don't often feel the need to stop and reflect. They are moving too fast. Life calls, 'Hurry!' It says there is fun to be had and things to be experienced, girls to meet, college degrees to attain, money to make and careers to plan.

“But, ironically, freedom calls our young people back, time and again, to make sacrifices continually required to live with freedom, and if you don't want to defend your freedom, ultimately you won't live with freedom. Freedom is not free.”

Freeman said the sacrifices made by our country's fighting forces are greatly untold, but as long as there is a need for freedom, there will be men and women to answer that call.

“Untold numbers of the young and old Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq since Sept. 11, 2001. They had dreams, comfort, opportunities and families,” said Freeman. “Still more Americans will parish in these conflicts we are fighting, even as we speak. Why do they do it? They don't have to. In fact, they volunteered. They signed up because they love their country and their countrymen. They remember what it takes to keep this land free. Freedom is not free. We fight because we believe, not that war is good, but that sometimes it is necessary. Our soldiers fight and die not for the glory of war, but for the price of freedom.”

Freeman was joined by more than 1,000 motorcyclists Monday morning, all part of the annual Ride to Remember, which made its way from the Permian Basin Memorial at the Midland International Airport to Big Spring Highway 80 and FM 700.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it