In “God Bless the USA,” Lee Greenwood sings, “I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me.” In the recent past that was enough, to acknowledge and thank those who served and currently serve for their service.
However, the next line of the song has become so very important in our country today. “I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.” We are in an existential war today against hate with antisemitism at the center of this conflict. This is not just a war against the Jews but against the very values for which our heroes died to defend. If foreign unfriendly forces are allowed to freely engage in disinformation and intimidation against any one group, they will use that strategy to further their overall goals—destruction of democracy in the world.
In the past it was sufficient to thank others for their service and then enjoy a BBQ with our family. We now must all become engaged in some way. We are the modern Minutemen and women who must “stand up next to each other” to confront the evil forces who are exploiting cracks in our society.
Thank you to all those who have served this country so that we have the liberties we enjoy today, and thank you to those standing against today’s enemies.
You can count on me to stand with you.
