Freedom, Peace, and Justice Have a Price

For thousands of years, powerful mottos have motivated and encouraged people to achieve important goals. This is why mottos exist across all aspects of a society: schools, businesses, towns, religious orders, family crests, and community organizations all have mottos.  Psychology Today suggests everyone should adopt a personal motto to remind them about what’s most important in their life. Seize the day. Keep your eyes on the prize. Be prepared.  

Among the most meaningful mottos across time are the words chosen by a nation’s military to encapsulate the core beliefs and ideals of a fighting and sacrificial spirit. Here are some of the phrases adopted by our Nation’s military to express the heart, mind, and soul of brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers who choose to forge a disciplined life for the benefit of others:    

Semper Fidelis  (Always Faithful)  

Semper Fortis  (Always Courageous)

Semper Paratus  (Always Ready)

Fidelity, Honor, Valor

Justice and Peace Through Strength

Defend and Serve

Honor Guides Our Power

Veterans Day is a special time to honor service men and service women killed or wounded in battle. Today is our National Holiday to remember the price they paid. We honor all of the personal dedication and sacrifices they made to prepare themselves to fight. They answered the call to always accept the challenge. To always be prepared and do what has to be done, whatever the cost.

November 11^th was chosen by our Nation as the date to celebrate Veterans Day because at the 11th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, an armistice (or cessation of hostilities) was declared between the Allies and Germany. When President Wilson proclaimed the first commemoration in 1919, he tasked all American citizens to reflect

“with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice…”

As a Nation, may we all be grateful for the heroic sacrifices made. Others answered the call so our Nation can enjoy freedom and a wealth of opportunities to pursue peace and justice. And with the help of “angels on our shoulders,” may we prove ourselves worthy of the opportunity to reflect upon a personal motto that best guides our lives. 

“EARN THIS” 

CompeerCORPS

Voice and Vision’s CompeerCORPS program serves veterans. CompeerCORPS connects a veteran with another veteran in recovery to foster hope, develop friendships, and offer supportive help where needed.

For more information, view our CompeerCorp web page or contact Olga Antonyuk at olga@compeerfriends.org.

This blog was written by guest author, Michael Harper, Esquire. Michael is the Director of Advocacy of the Family Advocacy Center of Voice and Vision, Inc. You can read more about Michael on the Staff page of the Voice and Vision website.

Photo by Element5 Digital via Pexels.