Speech
Let Freedom Ring Rally
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Helena
4/1/2004
Good evening. I can’t tell you how much it touches my heart to see so many people here in support of our men and women in uniform both here and overseas.
This is a somber time in our state and nation’s history. With the events of September 11 still very much on our minds, we are sending our troops a world away to fight for freedom from tyranny. Generation after generation has faced a challenge like this – but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Young men and women have defended the freedom of Americans and those abroad – but that doesn’t make the pain of the families who watch their loved ones leave any less real. Generation after generation has seen challenges like this – but that doesn’t make our support for our fighting men and women in these difficult times any less important.
During the Vietnam War, my husband was sent overseas in support of our nation’s troops. Over the past year, I have been witness to many military sendoffs – here in Helena, in Great Falls, in Kalispell, in Billings and elsewhere. In the face of every soldier and of every family member – the story is the same.
It is a story of bravery and sorrow – a story of dedication to country and love of family. It is a story of leaving those you love most behind so that they can live in safety and freedom. Which is why our troops and their families need our support.
America is an incredible nation. While we work to promote our freedoms here at home every single day – we have always been willing to step into the international scene to protect those who need it most in other countries. But, as we engage in actions such as this, we must always remember that freedom isn’t free. We must never take our freedoms for granted.
I have also had the opportunity in recent weeks to welcome home some of our troops. As governor, it makes me so proud to see these soldiers and their families reunited.
I would like to share with you a story I received. Some of you may have heard it before, but I believe it’s worth hearing over and over. I would ask you to envision a soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family. He is surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this:
I gave you birthright of freedom born in the Constitution, and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it.
I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote, and you stay home because of the weather.
I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues because it might be bad for your business.
I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you, and it has stolen democracy from the people.
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows us to demonstrate.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, and whose coffin is draped with the flag – who allows the protestor to do otherwise with the flag.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have numerous freedoms in this country, because all gave some, and some gave all.
Thank you and good evening. May God bless our soldiers and their families; may God bless Montana, may God bless these United States, and may God let freedom ring.
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