Freedom and Sacrifice

Part of WWII exhibit being developed
at Clay County Historical Museum

While spending time among the rolling grass fields and miles of mountainous woodland that make up our beautiful Clay County one develops a keener appreciation for the right of freedom. The openness the land presents is very much an outward expression of an inner sense of freedom. It is the freedom to till the ground, sow seeds, and raise a family. It is the freedom to dream of the future and likewise celebrate days past among friends. It is the freedom to challenge one's ambitions and likewise seek shelter in one's traditions. It is this freedom that we often accept as something fundamental to our nature and inseparable from our being. Freedom, as I've come to understand it, cannot be given as it is a natural quality shared by all living things, but it can be taken away.
  Throughout our history there have arisen some who've attempted to destroy the freedom of others and rob them of their native right. In response there have been many among us who've taken up a call to action to preserve what is right, just, and true. These valiant souls are no more endowed with greater ability than their neighbors save that they made a choice to serve and stand for their beliefs. We owe a debt to them equivalent in size to the freedom we take for granted.
   Today on this veterans day we pause and reflect on these our heroes, and all that their duty has afforded. From each of us at the Clay County Historical Society and on behalf of every person who woke today in the tranquility of freedom we humbly thank each of you for your service.