Commentary: Jessica Hill writes on the high cost of freedom Published Oct. 23, 2009 By Jessica Lynn Hill '"The High Cost of Freedom' essay contest winner JOINTN BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- In John F. Kennedy's address to the nation on October 22, 1962 he said "the cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission." Americans never shrink from tyrants who seek to destroy freedom, but rather they stand against them, fighting for a purpose greater than themselves. Our nation holds the belief, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, that we are all endowed with the inalienable rights of "Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness." When Governments or countries seek to take away or distort these rights then "it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles." This country was instituted under the principles of liberty and freedom. In the colonial times, when we were still under English rule, our nation saw fit to overthrow the most powerful country of its time for the cause of freedom. They fought against their brothers, so that they might worship as they desired and to have a government representative of its people. Thomas Campbell, a Scottish poet from the late 1700s said "The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree." Freedom is no small price to pay; blood is the payment it asks. The Vietnam Veteran Memorial at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C is a profound reminder of those who die in the cause of freedom. 58,253 names are engraven on the cold, black stone, rising from the ground. They represent a portion of the lives given in service of this mighty nation. 111, 516 died World War One, 404,000 died in World War Two, and many more have since died in our nation's pursuit for justice. Our soldiers die martyrs in the cause of freedom, their blood standing as a testament against those who seek to destroy this innate right. While living in Virginia I had the privilege of working at the Quantico National Cemetery. It was my task to keep the graves clean and the surrounding grounds manicured. On many occasions I would read the dates on the grave stones of men my age, twenty one years old, a life sacrificed for the defense of my freedom. It's tragic that their lives ended so soon, but I feel eternal gratitude towards them for being amongst the brave who choose to fight for freedom, not only for our own country, but for people around the world. These men and women sacrifice their lives for a belief. I know of no nobler more honorable sacrifice than giving your life for a principle you believe more profoundly than self. They sacrificed so that I might be safe, that I might worship as I please, that I might vote, that I might have a voice. My freedom came from the sacrifice of thousands of lives.