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 given the right to practice religion (or not) openly. Somewhere creativity and uniqueness is valued and sought after. A country that millions have fought and died to protect in the name of those freedoms that so many use to disparage it's very name. There is something wrong about that to me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not ignorant to the problems that we face and create as a country, nor am I naive enough to say that we don't need to do something about those problems. But thank God we live in a place where we CAN. Thank God we have people willing to dedicate their lives to keeping this nation and subsequently us as it's citizens safe. Thank God for people like Joel Baldwin, for his wife and daughter who will live the rest of their lives without him but will remember what he died representing. 

It's hard not to appreciate this nation when I am reminded there are people like Joel Baldwin in it. People who still believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. People like Joel who I will never personally know who would, and do, give up their lives in defense of MY personal happiness. When I think about that I can't help but be grateful for this country and all that it stands for. I am grateful to celebrate Independence Day. I am grateful to be an American.

God, bless America. And thank you for it.

A special thanks to all the men and women who serve our country and to their families who sacrifice to do the same.