Joel Baldwin
BALDWIN JOEL E BUC SCW USN KIA 12 DEC 04 MOSUL IRAQ Navy chief, father, teacher, husband, son, friend, fallen. One of many who have chosen to dedicate their lives to the cause of freedom and who have lost those lives as a result. I did not know him personally and I don't know how his tag wound up on top of Memorial Hill in Wasatch County, Utah, but I am thankful to him. I watched a flag ceremony from a stadium seat in Provo on the fourth of July and I was reminded why we are so lucky to even celebrate an Independence Day. For all the cynicism and negativity that plagues my generation, and for all the flaws that the citizens of this country (it's leaders included) have, it breaks my heart to think that we are taking for granted what an exceptional blessing and opportunity it is to live in a country that protects our rights as human beings. A country where we have the freedom to express our opinions and build our lives in the way we choose. A place where we are ...