Freedom Isn't Free

Today is Independence Day, the Fourth of July, to make our country great over the centuries, many men and women have sacrificed their life for our freedom.

I had a reminder of that very sacrifice when I went to visit Rich's brother-in-law (Gabe) who passed away this year, I looked all around seeing beautiful white headstones from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan and more.

Gabe would do a great firework show for us, so instead of watching the fireworks this year we went to go visit his gravesite, to us 4th of July is not the same without him.

Please do not turn this into a political posting on my deviation. I am a veteran as well as many of my family members, this also goes out to my daughter who is serving over in Afghanistan right now.

May all the veterans around the world that have passed on Rest-in-Peace, as our brave men and women (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines) stand guard around the world as we sleep tonight.

Location: Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in California
Flag is my own stock

Song Inspiration:

"American Soldier" by Toby Keith
[link]

I'm just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at 'em bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed for success
From my head down to my boots

I don't do it for money
There's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be

And I can't call in sick on Mondays
When the weekend's been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready
When the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady
Hey I'm true down to the core

And I will always do my duty
No matter what the price
I've counted up the cost
I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
But if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'Cause freedom don't come free

I'm an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy
I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier
I'm an American soldier

Yeah, an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy
I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines
So sleep in peace tonight
American soldier
I'm an American
An American
An American soldier