By Piper Bayard
America is not a location. America is an ideal. It is the dream of a country where the government answers to the people, and not the other way around.
Because America is an ideal, Americans are not born. Rather, America, itself, is born anew with each generation that embraces the ideal and chooses to take up the mantle of responsibility for its self-governance and its freedoms. For America to exist, each generation must make that choice, and each generation must defend the ideal.
Today, we honor those who have fallen in defense of the American ideal. May each new generation remember these American men and women and honor their sacrifices that they shall not have died in vain. If the day comes when we forget these soldiers, we will have forgotten ourselves and our purpose, and in doing so, we will no longer be Americans.
A most profound thank you to all who serve in our armed forces and clandestine services.
Bayard & Holmes 
Thank you, Piper, for reminding me why I am an American. Of late, I have struggled….
Karen
I understand. Good to see you.
Very nice, Piper! Great reminders to us all, and very worthy of passing down to the next generation ~
Thank you, Carol. I appreciate your comment.
Reblogged this on I am an Author, I Must Auth and commented:
Spot on! I have always said this about America, that we are an ideal.
With the uproar about the VA, now is the time we remember those who served. Those who returned and those who didn’t. Thanks.
Thank you for your visit.
Reblogged this on tomwisk.
Well said! America is not a location, but an ideal. Dead. Solid. PERFECT!
Thank you, Kitt.
Well said, Piper. Sentiments equally shared by your neighbours to the north.
Thank you, Patricia.
Amen!
Thank you for your visit.