Editorial - Freedom has a price

Marshall County Journal ^ | January 14, 2004 | Lori Kimble

[new cruelty]

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.

Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military": clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home to me.

I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts. "I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good grief. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our President. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.

Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom.' Humph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."

My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.

"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the President's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is? I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to women talking. "Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby killers we call a military."

Professional baby killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again. That's it!

Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth, placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, I smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him. Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY President, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."

I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As I returned to my booth, applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away. After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode.

"Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"

(Written by Lori Kimble, a 31 year old teacher and proud military wife. A California native, Mrs. Kimble currently lives in Alabama)

[new cruelty]

Thank you Lori Kimble.

[dighton]

Great post. Ragtime Cowgirl, if you want to ping it along ....

[armyboy]

Thats a great post. Thanks for sticking up for the men and women in uniform. God bless you and your family.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

Lord,
Bless Lori, her husband, all US soldiers and their families, and keep them safe in Your care...

Amen

[Maigrey]

A really nice editorial ping!

[Constitution Day]

BUMP. Excellent post!!

[BlueLancer]

Good post ... thanks for the ping.

III Corps and 13th COSCOM have deployed from here, involved in the big changing of the guard in Iraq, with 1st Cav preparing to go ...

4th ID getting ready to come back. Ought to be a hot time in the old time THAT night!

[Indy Pendance]

Great article. Thanks

[Lando Lincoln]

Great post. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it.

I will remember that.

Lando

[Valpal1]

Beautifully said and done.

I'm glad that Lori Kimble was there to speak up for our military. Don't think that angry coven wasn't acting deliberately, they knew those soldiers could hear them and they enjoyed it, knowing they couldn't speak back.

Typical passive aggressive liberal behavior.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The best post for sharing, dighton. Thank you!Y
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him. Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY President, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."

...applause broke out

...the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode.

"Compliments of those soldiers," he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blurry screen alert.

    

Share with the mainstream media.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

                   ~ ~

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for this post, new cruelty!

CC, for you, too. (^:

[Aeronaut]

This article somehow made my screen get blurry. Not sure why...

[B4Ranch]

Military wives only:Would you have the nerve to do what she did?

[B4Ranch]

Military wives only:Would you have the nerve to do what she did?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

This was first published in 2003, in the Washington Dispatch, I think.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Looking for tissue bump!

[Skywarner]

Yes, EXCELLENT story! Screen was a little blurry here as well.

MegaPING!

[BOBTHENAILER]

Wow, was that ever a great piece thanks a million for the post and the Ping, this is going all over the planet.

[aculeus]

Thanks for posting ,.. and pinging.

[americanSoul]

Yes, definitely blurry screen syndrome.
G-d bless Lori, her husband, and all American soldiers.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, PYW. Classics endure ~ and continue to inspire.

Adding this to my homepage top three (favorite responses to war critics). (^:

[new cruelty]

This was first published in 2003, in the Washington Dispatch, I think.

Good catch.

I found this link The Price of Freedom - Exclusive commentary by Lori Kimble dated Apr 14, 2003.

There is also an address...Lori can be reached by writing to feedback@washingtondispatch.com.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Good digging.

[Angelwood]

tears.....

Bravo, Lori Kimble. Prayers for the safety of your husband and the other brave men and women sacrificing and paying the price of freedom for the rest of us.

[reformed_democrat]

Would you have the nerve to do what she did?

Being a woman of few words, I'd probably be more inclined to quietly walk over to their table and say

SHUT UP YOU IGNORANT SLUT!

But that's just me.

[new cruelty]

Thanks.

For what it is worth, Snopes and Truthorfiction confirm that Lori contributes occasional pieces to The Washington Dispatch.

Snopes adds- At this point we're noting here that this item is "true" in the limited sense that it can be traced back to an identifiable first-person source who affirms it as true, not necessarily in the sense that the event related took place exactly as described by the author.

[lowbridge]

"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

Let that be a reminder for all. Speak up in defense of our soldiers.

[blackie]

Freedom has a price ~ Bump!

[sweetliberty]

Great post!

[ellery]

btttttttttttt!

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Wow!

[hoosiermama]

Mine too!

[hoosiermama]

Wanted to make sure you all saw this!

[mystery-ak]

Yes, I saw this a couple of weeks ago..If Im ever in a situation like this..I hope I have the same courage to speak up,

[hoosiermama]

I'm sure you will do whatever the situation merits. One thing GW and FR has given us is courage. No longer is the silent majority silent. When you're right you're right!

[McGavin999]

Good for you Lori. We need to start speaking out. These people get away with spreading their vicious lies because people are afraid to say what is in their hearts. Protestors think they represent more than they do because nobody tells them otherwise.

It's time to start standing up. Our boys and girls are over there protecting our freedom, the least we can do is guard their backs.

[Democratshavenobrains]

No one should forget that WE, i.e. lovers of America, are the majority in this country, no matter what Democrat Underground likes to delude itself into thinking.

[an amused spectator]

"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby killers we call a military."

If anyone thinks the Left has changed their tune from the Vietnam War, let them take note...

[VOA]

"Compliments of those soldiers," he said.
He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner,
but that another couple had beaten them to it.

Well, the loud-mouths may have scurried away like rodents...but it appears
they may actually have consciences.

When I listen to some of the Bravo Sierra of the left-of-center crowd...
I have to force myself to remember..."some of them haven't gone so far
over the cliff that they can't be pulled back to solid ground..."

[RightWingMama]

Everyone should read this! Thanks.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bump!

[windchime]

Way to go, Lori Kimble!

[ASOC]

I'm not a military wife, but I'm pretty sure my military wife would have ripped ther lips off.

She always asks the "Blood for oil" crowd if the signs mean they support drilling in ANWR

[clee1]

"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

Our brave men and women of the Armed Forces fight for our freedom; sometimes, true patriots have to stand and fight for them.

Thank you, Mrs. Kimble. May God bless and keep you and your husband.

[yoe]

BUMP!

I am not so sure I could have handled this situation with such grace, however, I would have handled it one way or another with at least as much courage as Lori showed, just maybe not the restraint.

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

My husband and I have said that so many times in recent months.......the silent majority will be silent no more!

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

I think if we, as a society, have learned anything from the mistakes of the hippies of the 60's, it is that we have to stand up and be heard NOW. They represented the minority back then just as they do now. Back then, however, the social climate seemed to suggest that it was somehow impolite or declasse to disagree or defend the military publically. You can bet this child of a pair of hippy boomers will not repeat the mistake.

[VOA]

I think if we, as a society, have learned anything from the mistakes of the hippies
of the 60's, it is that we have to stand up and be heard NOW.

Absolutely.
Otherwise, the poor folks who just don't have the time/energy/inclination
to really search things out...
might actually believe some of the IN-FREAKIN'-CREDIBLE B>ravo Sierra
that a "Seal My Files"
Governor Dean and a WEASEL Retired General like Clark are saying!

Such as Clark's recent pronouncement that only Democrats are truly religious
because they are the ones that believe in charity...
(guess the WEASEL-GENERAL failed to notice that Dubya carried the top twenty
states that lead in individual contributions to charity...thanks to The Michael
Medved Show for spotting that bit of demographics info.)