It’s another sunny morning and I pause during my walk to stand in front of the memorial saluting Jennifer Harris and say the words, “Freedom is not free.”
Like Jared Raymond, who is memorialized a short distance away, Harris died serving our country. After I stop and look at her name, I turn in a slow circle to a view, which encompasses Swampscott Town Hall, First Church, Hadley School and Humphrey Street.
Without Jennifer Harris, Jared Raymond and the other Americans who we will remember on Memorial Day, we would not worship freely. Without the sacrifice shown by Americans who donned our nation’s uniforms, First Church would not fly the multi-colored lawn flag symbolizing unity and tolerance. WIthout a willingness of Americans to serve, students would not be attending Hadley and people like me would not enjoy a leisurely walk.
If you think democratic government, freedom to worship and attain education and the freedom to walk safely in public exists without the sacrifices made by Harris, Raymond and others we remember on Monday, then I suggest you scroll through social media, watch the news or read a newspaper.
The freedoms we enjoy are absent in countries burdened with political unrest, totalitarian dictators, corrupt governments and internecine warring with origins stretching back centuries.
There are those who will read this column and suggest I consider the possibility that our nation’s militaristic history and our track record of imperialistic excursions into other countries is why Jennifer Harris and Jared Raymond saw their lives cut short.
These arguments are persuasive, and politicians never seem to explain to the rest of us why more Americans must die in foreign lands. But our nation’s history shows that we never can depend too long on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans protecting us from Democracy’s enemies.
The Japanese Imperial Navy brought war to our shores 80 years ago and terrorists attacked our country 20 years ago. I have interviewed men and women who fought in the global war on terror, which claimed Harris’ and Raymond’s lives. They told me they understood that the meticulously-planned 9/11 attacks could happen again and said they intended to do their part to stop future attacks.
Our military departure from Afghanistan won’t end U.S. involvement in the endlessly-volatile Middle East and its neighboring nations. But the troops’ departure should be a reckoning point for us to frankly assess our dedication to ensuring that the men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on other tours of duty, receive the help they are owed from their fellow Americans.
Are we doing enough individually and as a nation to help our veterans? My answer is, no. COVID-19 and racial equity have necessarily dominated our national conscience for the past year. But you don’t hear or read much about veterans. We must, first and foremost, dedicate mental health resources to help the people who served in our longest war. We must commit to employment and housing opportunities for veterans.
We didn’t have to ask Jennifer Harris and Jared Raymond to give their all when they went overseas and served. They were already committed to the task. Now we must do our all to ensure veterans know a grateful nation stands ready to help them.
Memorial Day is Monday and, in pausing to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we must also remember freedom is not free.
