Editor's Message

Living in the United States is a privilege that many of us often take for granted. The freedoms we enjoy allow us to pursue our dreams, express our opinions, and enjoy a wide range of rights and liberties. But this privilege comes with a responsibility, a duty to safeguard and preserve the hard-fought freedoms that we enjoy.

Recently, my wife and I were able to visit Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp near Oranienburg, Germany. Between 1936 and 1945, over 200,000 prisoners were held there, including political opponents of the Nazi regime, those declared to be “antisocial” or “career criminals,” and members of groups declared by the Nazis to be racially or biologically inferior, such as the Jews. They were treated inhumanely, fed inadequately, and killed openly.

As I stood in the camp learning about the atrocities committed there before and during World War II, I couldn’t help but reflect on the immense suffering endured by countless individuals whose freedoms were systematically extinguished.

The blessing of living in a free country should not be taken lightly. Every citizen should exercise their right to vote, engaging in the democratic process that forms the backbone of a free society. We must stay informed and be unafraid to run for public office or to participate in discussions about policies and issues. Thus we can ensure that the freedoms we enjoy are preserved for generations to come.

President Ronald Reagan said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it, and then hand it to them with the well-fought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same. And if you and I don’t do this, then you and I may well spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it once was like in America when men were free.”

As we celebrate the independence of our nation this summer, I encourage you to take the time to think of those who fought to keep us free and commit to doing your part to maintain that freedom.

Have a great summer.

Brendan Dalley, Editor