Freedom Isn’t Free

Editor’s Note: In preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the Four Rivers Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Vice President William Sanders is sharing messages of the impact of the war on today’s society.

A slogan showed up several years ago on bumper stickers and t-shirts that said 'Freedom isn't Free.” In anticipation of our celebrating Independence Day, I am going to take a few minutes to talk about that slogan.

For the most part, we do not think about the cost of freedom. When we think of war, the price that comes to mind is lives. It is estimated that around 25,000 Americans died during our fight for freedom. What is the worth of a human life?

Especially if it is your son, your husband, your brother. Some people think the death toll, including civilians, may range from 178,800-223,800. That's a lot considering the population of Georgia at the beginning of the war was only 35,000. There is a phrase at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence that says, 'We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” They capitalized LIVES, FORTUNES and HONOR — not me. Five of them were imprisoned by the British during the war. Of the fifty-six signers, nine died during the Revolutionary War or shortly thereafter. Seventeen of them lost their fortunes during the war. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. They truly followed the old saying, 'put your money where your mouth is.”

The Revolution was financed by loans, the selling of bonds, or anything else our forefathers could get their hands on. You have to remember that the war lasted 8 years, from 1775-1783, and that it was fought on our soil, in our backyards. Not in Afghanistan or Iraq, but right here. Some people think the total cost is $101 million, which equals $2.4 billion in 2011 U.S. dollars. That sounds like a cheap war, but the average person only made 16 British Pounds per year, which equals $21.65 U.S.

In every war we have ever fought, those that survive are left with physical and mental scars that affect them the rest of their lives. The American Revolution was no different. Although records are not available, it is estimated that tens of thousands of soldiers were affected in such a way that they could not live a normal life. Because of the nature of the close quarter combat they saw, this was the beginning of PTSD for the American Soldier. Even the movie The Patriot doesn't give full justice to what they experienced. They probably called their PTSD “Nightmares.”

I saw a study several years ago that showed soldiers don't die for their country, the flag, their family, or even apple pie, although my mother used to make some great fried apple pies. They die for each other. They die for their buddies and for their friends to try to keep them alive. In the Bible, Jesus says in John 15;13, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

'Freedom isn't Free.” It is still being bought for us today, through precious lives, the wealth of our nation, and you being willing to have a voice in the running of our government. As your shoot fireworks, burn hamburgers, or do whatever you do on The Fourth, think about the price that has been paid for our freedom, starting in 1775. If you are one of the ones who helped pay for it, I thank you. In advance, have a happy and safe Fourth of July. Advance sounds like a good name for a newspaper.