Arizona's Sacrifice
Sen. John Mccain On Gratitude, Patriotism And Those Who Serve



Op-Ed By John McCain

May 30, 2004

The Arizona Republic

Americans are blessed with nearly limitless freedoms and liberties. In exchange for all our country gives to us, it does not demand much in return. Yet throughout Arizona's history, thousands of its residents have volunteered to give back to their nation through military service. The selfless acts of courage and sacrifice made by the men and women in our armed services have elevated our nation to the greatness we enjoy today.

America is defined not by its power but by its ideals. One of the great strengths of the American public is the desire to serve a cause greater than our own self interest.

All too often, our younger generations are accused of selfishness and an unwillingness to sacrifice. I disagree. I see generations of people yearning to serve and help their fellow citizens. Each year, thousands of our young Americans decide to dedicate a few years or even a full career to protecting the rights and liberties of others. They often do this with very real risks to their lives. They volunteer to do this not for profit, nor for self-promotion, but out of a sense of duty, service and patriotism.

It has been my good fortune to spend time in the company of these heroes. Years ago, my country allowed me to stand witness to the special courage and patriotism it takes to put America and her great cause - freedom - before self; to put your life in another's hands and ask them to do the same. The men and women of our armed forces share the strongest of relationships, a society of honor and self-sacrifice. Their service affirms the sacredness of our founding ideals of liberty, justice and equality, and teaches us all that because America is worth dying for, then surely she is worth living for.

As we celebrate Memorial Day this year, thousands of men and women, including hundreds of Arizonans, are fighting terrorism and tyranny abroad. Each soldier and sailor serving overseas has left behind family and friends and put their life on the line to bring freedom and democracy to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Millions of acts of kindness are being carried out by our soldiers as they work to rebuild two collapsed nations. Roads are being built, schools are being set up, the fragile roots of democracy are taking hold.

The sacrifice on display today is not a new quality among the men and women serving in our military. The American soldier has always been ready to answer their nation's call at a moment's notice and willing to lay down his or her life to protect the rights and liberties of others.

Their sacrifice only serves to underscore the importance of our own freedoms. The residents of Arizona do not have to go far to witness the courage and commitment of our military. In addition to the thousands of military retirees who consider Arizona home, Arizona is blessed with five major defense installations. One only needs to spend a day speaking to the men and women stationed at one these bases or at one of the Veterans Affairs facilities to understand the commitment the people of Arizona have made to make our nation free.

Arizona's troops have lost their lives on battlefields spanning the globe in valiant struggles against evil. Sixty years ago, millions of young Americans answered their nation's call to serve in Europe and the Pacific. Their achievements and sacrifices are embodied in the very names of the locations - Iwo Jima, Normandy, Tripoli.

Many brave souls were left on the battlefields, sacrificed to liberate once-great nations from the tyranny of dictatorship and oppression. These same traits and acts of heroism and sacrifice have been exhibited by countless soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in conflicts across the globe since World War II.

For most Americans, Memorial Day signifies the start of the summer. School is winding down and, after a long winter, trips to the beach loom in the not too distant future. However, it is important to remember that we enjoy the freedom to do these very things because of the brave soldiers who sacrificed to ensure our liberty.

This Memorial Day, I encourage you to take time between barbeques to visit a memorial or a veterans cemetery or simply take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by the millions of men and women that have given their lives to guarantee the liberty we celebrate today.

I salute Arizona's active duty, reservists and guardsmen, as well as our veterans, for answering their nation's call to serve. These men and women make us free.