From the site:  "The Price of Freedom is first and foremost a tribute to those who served in World War II and the loved ones they left behind. It could be called a piece of musical theater, since its story is told largely through song, but it differs from traditional musical theater in a few key ways.

First, it is performed as a concert—not as a dramatic piece—with just 9 actor/singers and an orchestra. There are no costumes or sets to distract from the message. Rather than perform as the characters in the stories, the actors perform in tribute to them, with nothing but the words and music written to tell their stories.

Second, the performance has a 'documentary' element to it. The actors’ stories are brought to life by authentic newsreels, photos and radio broadcasts from the time period, which transport the audience back to era of the 'greatest generation,' and make the experience that much more real.

Lastly, there is no dialogue or physical interaction between the characters. The interaction takes place entirely through letters written between the battlefield and the homefront. In this way, we watch each character’s very personal and intimate reaction to the events of the story as they unfold. We hear the words they wrote and see the meaning behind them.

All of these elements combine to make The Price of Freedom a very unique and powerful blend of original music, documentary footage, and simple storytelling to create an emotional message of hope and gratitude.

The concert follows three stories that ultimately intertwine: an expectant wife sending off her husband to Europe (David & Arline), a widowed mother seeing her only two sons off to the Pacific (Mrs. Miller, Steven and Jack), and a young girl sending her boyfriend off to fight (Shep & Ellen).

The Price of Freedom is the result of a collaboration between composer Rob Gardner and songwriter McKane Davis. The show first premiered in November 2002. Since then, it has been performed live for audiences across the country. The response afterward from the tearful patrons is invariably: 'This is something that everyone in America needs to experience.'"

Note:  The Price of Freedom is divided into 12 videos here.  If you can't see all of the videos, click the tiny "Read More" link on the right below.

(If you can't see the rest of the videos, please click the tiny red "Read More" link below.)

Col. Tom Manion, USMCR (Ret.), wrote in The Wall Street Journal about the remarkable men and women in uniform and what they give for our great nation. He should know -- his son gave his life in Iraq in 2007.

"I served in the military for 30 years. But it was impossible to fully understand the sacrifices of our troops and their families until April 29, 2007, the day my son, First Lt. Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq.

"Travis was just 26 years old when an enemy sniper's bullet pierced his heart after he had just helped save two wounded comrades. ...

"While my son's life was relatively short, I spend every day marveling at his courage and wisdom. Before his second and final combat deployment, Travis said he wanted to go back to Iraq in order to spare a less-experienced Marine from going in his place. His words -- 'If not me, then who...' -- continue to inspire me.

"My son is one of thousands to die in combat since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. ...

"When my son died in Iraq, his U.S. Naval Academy roommate, Brendan Looney, was in the middle of BUD/S (basic underwater demolition) training to become a Navy SEAL. Devastated by his good friend's death, Brendan called us in anguish, telling my wife and me that losing Travis was too much for him to handle during the grueling training regimen.

"Lt. Brendan Looney overcame his grief to become 'Honor Man' of his SEAL class, and he served in Iraq before later deploying to Afghanistan. On Sept. 21, 2010, after completing 58 combat missions, Brendan died with eight fellow warriors when their helicopter crashed in Zabul province. He was 29.  Brendan and Travis now rest side-by-side in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. ...

"Even after more than a decade of war, these remarkable men and women are still stepping forward. As the father of a fallen Marine, I hope Americans will treat this Memorial Day as more than a time for pools to open, for barbecues or for a holiday from work. It should be a solemn day to remember heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, and also a stark reminder that our country is still at war."

This song is dedicated to all men and women, past and present, 
who so valiantly fight for our safety and freedom.  Thank you!  

 "Promise me that you won’t think of Chris solely as a hero. He wouldn’t want that. 

"Instead, I ask you to see him the way he would’ve wanted you to see him. As just an everyday boy who did his best at what he loved, growing into an everyday man, loving his God, loving his country…and loving his family."

Chris Kyle's wife, Taya, gave a wonderful message at the NRA event this week.

Chris was killed in February when he was shot by a veteran who was going through a tough time.  Chris devoted himself to trying to help soldiers heal from emotional or physical wounds they received while serving in the military.  

Chris Kyle truly loved and cared for his brothers in the military and gave his life to help them.

Picture Courtesy of The Patriot Post (PatriotPost.US) 

Today we observe the National Day of Prayer, but if you're active duty or reserve military, you'd better not mention that to any of your fellow compatriots in uniform, or invite them to join in a prayer vigil, lest you find yourself in front of a military tribunal.

You read that correctly. It is no small irony this week that the Obama administration is suppressing faith rather than celebrating it.

The Left is constantly endeavoring to replace Rule of Law with the rule of men. Because the former is predicated on the principle of Liberty "endowed by our Creator," Obama's administrators constantly look for ways to undermine Rule of Law by driving wedges between our Liberty and its foundational endowment.

The highest profile and most influential sector of government, where Obama and his cadres can exercise the greatest degree of immediate dictatorial power in order to dislocate that endowment, is the Department of Defense.

In 2010, unable to reverse the Defense of Marriage Act (an affirmation of timeless principles upheld by all faiths), Obama called on his party-controlled House and Senate to force the institutionalization of gender-disorientation pathology in the military ranks -- a brazen internal assault on military order.

In a last legislative act on behalf of his most flamboyant constituency, Democrats passed and Obama signed his "do ask -- do tell" legislation -- just days before the resounding Republican 2010 midterm takeover in the House.

At that time, Obama declared, "This law will strengthen our national security" -- this despite the fact that the greatest military breach of national security in history, the release of volumes of classified reports to WikiLeaks info anarchist Julian Assange, had just been allegedly committed by Army PFC Bradley Manning, because he was disgruntled over the breakup with his homosexual partner.


Republicans may now control the House, but that isn't stopping Obama from a far bolder assault on Liberty and our military -- one that requires no legislative approval from Congress: expelling God from the trenches.

Under the pretense of "tolerance" and comporting with the errant assertion of a "Wall of Separation" grossly distorting the First Amendment's succinct provision that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," Obama has decreed the removal of any expression or manifestation of faith within the ranks of the U.S. military.

From Day One of the Obama regime's rise to power, there have been numerous instances of incremental implementation of this assault on faith within the ranks, and the Air Force has been the administration's primary target since it is considered to be the most "faith-saturated" branch of service.

For example, at the Air Force Academy, we discovered that the words "so help me God" have been deleted from the cadet handbook's text of the cadet Oath of Allegiance and the officer Oath of Office. When The Patriot Postinquired with the AFA's public affairs office as to why those words had been removed from the handbook, the PAO dodged the question and tersely responded that we could file a "Freedom of Information Act" request. In other words: "Take a hike."

Obama's latest endeavor to eradicate expressions of faith by military personnel, however, is neither subtle nor incremental.    

Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, a Patriot from Texas and author of the outstanding book, "American Sniper," was killed Saturday while assisting fellow veterans suffering from PTSD. Chris served with the SEAL Team 3 Sniper Element Charlie platoon, and was the most lethal sniper in U.S. history, with 160 confirmed kills and another 95 probables. He was known to his enemies as Al-Shaitan Ramad (The Devil of Ramadi).

In 2008, near Sadr City, Chris neutralized an RPG-carrying insurgent at more than 2,000 meters with his Lapua Magnum .338 PGM. During his four combat tours, Chris was shot twice and survived six IED explosions. He left military service three years ago after earning two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation. He has devoted much of the last three years to working with fellow vets suffering from PTSD.

Chris leaves behind his wife Taya, two children, and a long list of family and friends. Kyle was a tireless defender of Liberty and the Second Amendment, and he will be sorely missed.

Chris Kyle, from his book, "American Sniper": 

"At another location, we found barrels of chemical material that was intended for use as biochemical weapons. Everyone talks about there being no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but they seem to be referring to completed nuclear bombs, not the many deadly chemical weapons or precursors that Saddam had stockpiled. ... The rules are drawn up by lawyers who are trying to protect the admirals and generals from the politicians; they're not written by people who are worried about the guys on the ground getting shot. ... 

"I didn't risk my life to bring democracy to Iraq. I risked my life for my buddies, to protect my friends and fellow countrymen. I went to war for my country, not Iraq. My country sent me out there so that bull---t wouldn't make its way back to our shores. ... People tell me I saved hundreds and hundreds of people. But I have to tell you: it's not the people you saved that you remember. It's the ones you couldn't save. Those are the ones you talk about. Those are the faces and situations that stay with you forever. ... 

"Another question people ask a lot: Did it bother you killing so many people in Iraq? I tell them, 'No.' And I mean it. The first time you shoot someone, you get a little nervous. You think, can I really shoot this guy? Is it really okay? But after you kill your enemy, you see it's okay. You say, Great. You do it again. And again. You do it so the enemy won't kill you or your countrymen. You do it until there's no one left for you to kill. That's what war is. ... Just because war is hell doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. ...

"I've lived the literal meaning of the 'land of the free' and 'home of the brave.' It's not corny for me. I feel it in my heart. I feel it in my chest. Even at a ball game, when someone talks during the anthem or doesn't take off his hat, it pisses me off. I'm not one to be quiet about it, either."

On Obama's gun control agenda, Kyle said recently, "I know he is against the Second Amendment and he is trying to ban everything. ... The ban is just opening the door to take more of our rights. Our Founding Fathers had the same weapons the military did, and we don't even have that today, but don't try to take what I have. ... Switzerland has a very low crime rate because everyone has an automatic weapon [as part of the Swiss national militia]. So everyone is armed."

It's heartbreaking to realize how many men and women come home from serving in the military and can't find a job.  

Looks like Hiring Our Heroes is a good source of help.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could help a veteran find a job?  

Please spread the word!

 

With the Marine Corps birthday, and Veteran's Day, this is a good time to pause and remember the courageous men and women who give their best to serve our country.

Jason Dunham sacrificed his life to protect the Marines he was serving with.  Here is his story.

Corporal Jason L. Dunham was born on 10 November 1981 in Scio, New York. The date may seem insignificant to those who don’t know its history. The ones who do know its significance celebrate this day – faithfully – each year. November 10th is the United States Marine Corps birthday… a birthday that Jason Dunham shares.

Corporal Jason L. Dunham was 22 years old when he left us. He came from the small town of Scio (sigh-oh) population 1900. It’s the kind of town where everyone knows your name… where values and respect still mean something. It was here, along a winding country road filled with rolling-meadows, and a swift moving creek, that Jason L. Dunham was brought into this world.

As you turn into the Dunham’s long driveway that leads to their house, the breeze catches a yellow ribbon tied to the mailbox and the story begins to unfold. The further you drive; two flags adorn the front porch, an American flag and the United States Marine Corps flag. And both seem to play the same quiet song, and yet both stand tall for this fallen young man. There is a final reminder that Jason Dunham is no longer with us… a blue star in the front window has been replaced by a gold star, symbolizing the Dunham family loss.

On April 14, 2004, 3 days after Easter Sunday, Corporal Dunham was manning a checkpoint in Karabilah, Iraq, when an insurgent leapt from his car and began choking Corporal Dunham. A scuffle ensued as two Marines approached to help. Reportedly, the last words from Corporal Dunham were, “No, No. Watch his hand.” Suddenly, the insurgent dropped a grenade. Corporal Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, dropped to the ground, and covered the explosive as best he could.

The blast seriously wounded all 3 Marines. Eight days later, Corporal Jason L. Dunham died at Bethesda Naval Hospital from wounds he received in the incident. He was 22.

Corporal Dunham made the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so saved the lives of his fellow Marines. Due to his actions on that fateful day, Corporal Dunham has been awarded the Medal of Honor.

 (Credit: JasonsMemorial.org/about.html)

Virtues: love, honor, courage, loyalty

Marines have been singing the Marines' Hymn so long that no one really knows who wrote it.  It was widely sung by the mid-1800's and became the official hymn of the Marines in 1929.  

Although the words have been slightly modified over time, it has always reflected the principles, values, and love of country felt by the Marines.

Marines' Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma,
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze,
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Virtues: Courage, Honor

Did you know this year is the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War?

The young men who fought in that war sometimes returned home to contempt and even hatred, when they deserved nothing but appreciation for the very difficult, even hellish, circumstances into which they were drafted.

Let's make sure we express our gratitude and show our respect for those who served in the military during that challenging time.  

Virtue: Gratitude