It  Is  The  Soldier

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
who has given us freedom of press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
who gives us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

It  Is  The  Soldier by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien

Service is the rent we pay for being.
It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.
Marion Wright Edelman