Freedom isn't Free
A picture is worth a thousand words25 total reviews
Comment from pome lover
Oh, Tom, that's brilliant! I wonder if even one kid on Spring Break would know what that picture meant.
You deserve to be recognized for this, and I'm so glad you kept the picture.
Now it's the whole world on our shores/borders. I'm not comparing, really, but sort of.
As you said, it's certainly food for thought. very good.
Katharine
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2024
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Oh, Tom, that's brilliant! I wonder if even one kid on Spring Break would know what that picture meant.
You deserve to be recognized for this, and I'm so glad you kept the picture.
Now it's the whole world on our shores/borders. I'm not comparing, really, but sort of.
As you said, it's certainly food for thought. very good.
Katharine
Comment Written 20-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2024
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Oh thanks so much Katharine. Did you get your computer fixed, or are you suffering with your knee just to read and comment? I hope you're well gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
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I can use it as long as it's plugged in. Haven't gone to get a battery for it yet, but haven't been on it much. Have been pruning back limbs of bushes that have grown up over the roof, but it's hard on my knee, so have not finished the job. Still have tons of leaves from the oaks that need bagging. It's gotten rather chilly. Back to sweater weather.
Thanks again for calling, Tom. I enjoyed talking to you!
Katharine
Comment from karenina
Amen, Tom!
I never did "Spring Break"--I had to work to supplement my tuition as my granddaughter does as well.
Even that freedom--to choose our path, seek further education, hold a job...
All is brought to us by the greatest sacrifices made by often unsung heroes!
Karenina
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
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Amen, Tom!
I never did "Spring Break"--I had to work to supplement my tuition as my granddaughter does as well.
Even that freedom--to choose our path, seek further education, hold a job...
All is brought to us by the greatest sacrifices made by often unsung heroes!
Karenina
Comment Written 12-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
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Hello K,
I never got the chance to go on spring break either. I didn't even know there was such a thing. I was in the navy at nineteen, and married my wife right out of boot camp, so vacations were something we didn't experience for years, although my first ship was stationed in Key West, so that was nice. Thanks so much for the thoughtful review gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
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Thanks...
You too!
Comment from jessizero
This is definitely, as you say, food for thought. I never understood the appeal of "spring break." Thank you for posting this - it's something we all need to see. Best wishes to you.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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This is definitely, as you say, food for thought. I never understood the appeal of "spring break." Thank you for posting this - it's something we all need to see. Best wishes to you.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Hello Jessi,
thanks so much for the fine review gal. I never had the money or the time to go for spring break. I left high school and went right to a job until I was number 52 in the draft during the Vietnam War, so I joined the navy. I think so many young people have misconceptions of what life is all about. Unfortunately, soon enough they will get a taste of reality and it will probably come as a shock that life isn't one long party.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
This is a very powerful message and should be spread around. We take for granted the freedoms we enjoy and it seems to be getting worse as time goes by! It's like history is being erased on a daily basis. It will come back to haunt us if it continues. I pray for the future of our country. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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This is a very powerful message and should be spread around. We take for granted the freedoms we enjoy and it seems to be getting worse as time goes by! It's like history is being erased on a daily basis. It will come back to haunt us if it continues. I pray for the future of our country. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Hello Marilyn,
thanks so much for the delightful review. I agree with everything you've said. It seems the powers that be are intent on wiping out our history and replacing it with one that is more palatable to them. I think prayer is the only thing that is going to make a difference in our country, as we can't count on the politicians to do what we've elected them for.
Have a blesse day gal.
Tom
Comment from Brett Matthew West
"had enough of the rowdiness that comes with spring break." Agree with those words. Never cared about, nor participated in, spring break. Always had much better things to do.
In regards to the last paragraph, would bet at least 95% of today's spring breakers have very little, if any, idea about who paid the ultimate price so they can act like the wild banshees and imbeciles they are, especially during spring break.
Perhaps if some of them were to consider the costs paid they would more appreciate spring break.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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"had enough of the rowdiness that comes with spring break." Agree with those words. Never cared about, nor participated in, spring break. Always had much better things to do.
In regards to the last paragraph, would bet at least 95% of today's spring breakers have very little, if any, idea about who paid the ultimate price so they can act like the wild banshees and imbeciles they are, especially during spring break.
Perhaps if some of them were to consider the costs paid they would more appreciate spring break.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Hello Brett,
thanks so much for the outstanding review. Why don't you tell me what you really think of the spring break crowd? Ha, ha, banshees and imbeciles kind of sums it up. I don't like to say it, but I think we've had it too easy for too long, and we've gotten used to a lifestyle that isn't sustainable. I'm afraid what the future holds for this country if we don't get squared away soon.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
That was depressingly clever. If I ever get up their to visit my son, I will take you and your wife to supper. you can tell me fish stories. Does your wife do any arty stuff? Good work here. Karen :-)
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2024
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That was depressingly clever. If I ever get up their to visit my son, I will take you and your wife to supper. you can tell me fish stories. Does your wife do any arty stuff? Good work here. Karen :-)
Comment Written 09-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2024
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Hello Karen,
thanks so much for the fine review and the offer of dinner, we'd be delighted to take you up on it. I've got countless fish stories. My second book was interviews I'd done with the local fishermen in Hoonah where we lived for over forty years. One fellow spoke about getting sucked down, rowboat and all, into the whirlpools of South Inian Pass. The whole Pacific Ocean tries to come in through two small passages, so there is always lots of current there. Another fellow spoke about when Hoonah caught on fire in 1945. It burned down almost the whole town. The government was sending materials for houses to Guam, but they diverted the barge to Hoonah instead. None of those houses had insulation at the time because they didn't need it in Guam. Lots of good stories.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
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You are built in entertainment. I think Texans and Alaskans share the same spirit for storytelling and adventure.:-)
Comment from Jim Wile
What a beautiful, graphic display of two completely different interpretations of a day at the beach. I'll bet not one of those in the top photo stopped to think about those in the bottom photo who made it possible for them to enjoy a day at the beach. I'm not saying they should, but it is certainly worth being extremely thankful for whenever we may happen to think about it. What they did in the bottom photo was true heroism for risking their own lives for the freedom of the folks back home.
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2024
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What a beautiful, graphic display of two completely different interpretations of a day at the beach. I'll bet not one of those in the top photo stopped to think about those in the bottom photo who made it possible for them to enjoy a day at the beach. I'm not saying they should, but it is certainly worth being extremely thankful for whenever we may happen to think about it. What they did in the bottom photo was true heroism for risking their own lives for the freedom of the folks back home.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2024
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Hi Jim,
when we grew up, WWII was still fresh in the minds of most people. Of course we lived through the Vietnam war and all the conflict that caused at home, and soldiers were treated much differently. The farther we're removed from war, and the more we prosper, people forget that all the freedoms they enjoy came at a tremendous cost. Our enemies are taking advantage of the lethargy that seems to be so invasive in this country. I fear that if a major conflict occurs, we may not have the resources or the stamina to endure it. It's long past time for a wake up call in this country. Thanks so much for the encouraging review my friend.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Absolutely right, my friend. And that's why it's important to have such good weapons systems--because the will to fight the way wars have been fought in the past likely wouldn't be there now. We'd better have damned good drones and remote control weapons and an advanced space force to combat the countries who we know are trying to achieve the same things.
Comment from Bill Schott
This essay, Freedom isn't Free, would be totally lost on young people as they are, probably as we were, unable to envision themselves in any state of undeserved privilege.
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2024
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This essay, Freedom isn't Free, would be totally lost on young people as they are, probably as we were, unable to envision themselves in any state of undeserved privilege.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2024
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Hello Bill,
I'm laughing at your review, but not so much because it's funny, as because it's so true. You've hit the nail on the head. I'm really scared of what is going to happen during the next conflict we're involved in. Patriotism seems to be a dirty word, and young people are being taught in colleges that America is a terrible place. I wish those who are teaching that would go live in a communist country for a year or two and see if their views remain the same. Thanks so much for the insightful review Bill.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
You are so right. No one except the very old, remember the sacrifice made by thousands of soldiers on many beaches in Italy and France so that we present day people can enjoy the sun. Too bad some of them today behave very badly. Excellent pictures and great point made in your article.
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024
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You are so right. No one except the very old, remember the sacrifice made by thousands of soldiers on many beaches in Italy and France so that we present day people can enjoy the sun. Too bad some of them today behave very badly. Excellent pictures and great point made in your article.
Comment Written 08-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024
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Hello Carol,
thanks so much for the wonderful review. The longer we're removed from the events of WWII, the less they are talked about or remembered. Of course all wars had casualties, and it's up to all of us to remember the fallen and wounded from each conflict. They paid a big price for us to have the freedoms we enjoy.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
Comment from royowen
Some of those landings cost a lot of lives of young men of whom some probably never made it as far as the beach, my dad was rescued from the Dunkirk beach is in the beginning of WW2, more than 300,000 British troops were evacuated mainly by small pleasure craft from British civilians and fisherfolk. Well done Tom, , blessings Roy
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024
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Some of those landings cost a lot of lives of young men of whom some probably never made it as far as the beach, my dad was rescued from the Dunkirk beach is in the beginning of WW2, more than 300,000 British troops were evacuated mainly by small pleasure craft from British civilians and fisherfolk. Well done Tom, , blessings Roy
Comment Written 08-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024
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Hello Roy,
thanks so much for letting me know. I need to read up on the Dunkirk rescue. I remember hearing about it, but like so much else, it gets lost in time. I'm so glad your father was rescued. I believe that English Channel can be pretty testy weather wise, so the men who came to their rescue were heroes as well.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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It was a glorious retreat
