OUR VIEW: The Fourth is about freedom

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July 4, 2009

Staff report The Glasgow Daily Times Sat Jul 04, 2009, 02:04 PM CDT

GLASGOW — This Fourth of July as we all watch fireworks and eat at backyard barbecues, we all need to remember what the holiday is really about — honoring the sacrifices of those who have allowed all of us to maintain our rights and independence.

After six years, U.S. troops just this week pulled out of Iraqi cities. This is an historic event for the military, despite the fact that American troops will remain oversees for years. Despite anyone’s political beliefs the troops who have served in Iraq have sacrificed much for their country.

Some U.S. soldiers will remain in Iraqi cities to provide assistance and advice to Iraqi troops who will now be in charge of the security of much of their own country. But this moment appears to be the major shift from Americans in primary combat that has been awaited.

Based on a deal made by the Bush administration American troops will largely have left Iraq by the end of 2011. The U.S. still has more than 130,000 troops in the country. American soldiers initially entered the country in 2003. The American troops will only re-enter Iraqi cities if the Iraqi government asks for help. Lets all hope that doesn’t become necessary. More than 4,300 soldiers have given their lives and 31,408 have been injured in Iraq, along with countless Iraqi citizens who have given their lives as that country struggles toward establishing its own freedoms and rights much like the U.S. did in 1776.

The events in Iraq allow all of us the chance to teach the true meaning of Independence Day to the youth of this community. While taking the children to all the fun events throughout the area, talk to them about why it’s important to remember the freedoms they have in the U.S. and to remember the country’s founders who wrote the Declaration of Independence and the soldiers who have fought to protect those rights.

We need to remember the current troops as well as those from the past who have gone abroad to fight and lay down their lives to protect the freedoms that every American enjoys. Our independence is not possible without sacrifices.

In addition those of us at the Daily Times want to wish everyone a safe holiday weekend. Be careful when driving or setting off fireworks. The Fourth of July is traditionally one of the most dangerous holidays in terms of fatal accidents and there are often injuries associated with children playing with sparklers and other fireworks.

Enjoy the holiday and be safe, while thinking about those who have given so much to enable it.

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