|
|
|
|
Grateful Greetings July 4, 1983
Winston Churchill echoes our Patrick Henry, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
In contrast, we have always had with us those who would trade freedom for a moment of personal peace and affluence. Under the threat of a nuclear war, they cry "I'd rather be Red than dead." Should this attitude ever become consensus in our country, we will be both Red and dead spiritually.
No sane person wants nuclear war, or any war. No nation which values freedom has ever escaped war through non-preparedness. Preparedness is the road to peace, whether you are speaking of a nation or an individual.
Bordering Winston Churchill's profound warning are baseball bats. In the summer of 1940, we who were involved in military maneuvers at Fort Knox had to use baseball bats to simulate 60-millimeter mortars. Today we would be slaves to the tyranny of
Nazism had not England given us the time to prepare. No nation can ever do this for us again.
Preparation for national defense is essential because freedom is essential. However, preparedness does not correct the world situation; it only preserves freedom so we can grow up mentally, socially and spiritually to become what God would have us be. |
|
