Having been raised by one of the “greatest generation” parents, my father served in WWII, in the Navy, aboard a Destroyer Escort, I was always well aware of the real meaning of Memorial Day. Today is set aside, to remember and be thankful for those who gave their lives so that we could live in a nation where freedom is paramount. I remain grateful to those from his generation, to those of earlier generations and also to those who fought in Korea, Vietnam and continue, to this day, putting their lives on the line for all of us. It also gives me pause to reflect upon the battles currently being “fought” internally, with regard to “opening” the towns, cities, states and even the nation as it concerns public safety.

What, exactly, is “freedom”  does it have boundaries, and if it does, how are those boundaries defined? There are many who, when it’s convenient, will cite constitutionally protected freedoms, the gun folks are usually at the top of that list as they will point to the part of the 2nd Amendment and hold fast to the words themselves. Many of these same folks, for reasons beyond my understanding, ignore the “inconvenient” freedoms, such as freedom of expression. If two same sex people want to be together, they see THAT as an anathema, yet not recognizing that, as it hurts no one else, that is simply a freedom of expressing their feelings for one another. They will then start citing biblical reference to make their point, all the while ignoring the idea of separation of church and state, and freedom of religion. Yes, you get to choose your belief system, but NO you don’t get to IMPOSE that on someone else.

Freedom of Speech and Freedom on the Press are two other hot button topics today. Yes, I absolutely believe you have the right, within reason,  to say whatever you want, as long as it does not endanger someone else (the classic: yelling “fire” in a crowded place causing a riot, when no fire exists, is a very good example of that particular form of “speech” being NOT protected and, in fact, wrong. Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include but are not limited to,  obscenity, fraud,  speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action..the list actually goes on.

There are so many interpretations of these tenents and there in lies the rub. How do we coexist? I’d offer this very simple guideline: If the choices you make do not cause harm to someone else, or put someone else in harms way, then you are welcome to your freedom. You certainly may smoke up a storm, just not in a confined space, You certainly may cough and sneeze, just not near or on someone else, This list goes on as well…

On this Memorial Day, I would simply ask that you remember those who perished to protect these freedoms while, at the same time, being mindful of what you can do to protect those around you.

As an aside…sometimes it’s just nice to add another memory