Patrick's Pause

When Freedom Calls

Freedom was assaulted the morning of Sept 11, 2001. War was declared in a time of peace, by those who will never find it, upon those who defend it, along with others like them who pledge their lives with honor, courage, integrity providing security so that even the least among of us, may have it. Americans heart was broken and we grieve with those whose loss was personal. Our sorrow is for this time, for Patrick, for his family and those he knew and loved. The loss is real, a husband, a dad, a parent, a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, an in-law, a buddy, a friend, a neighbor, a sailor, is gone. We are frustrated and angry at a foe whose face and name we do not know, who even now dares the world to bring them to justice. That too, will come to pass. As the events of that fateful day unfolded and for days to follow, many of us have found ourselves filled with emotions that make us cry one minute, stir our anger the next, only to leave us frustrated us as we search for answers. We pray to God, but His answers come in His time, not ours. We want to do something, but what? Many Americans responded in noble and great ways of self-sacrifice, giving blood, volunteering, personalizing supplies such as the words of love and encouragement I saw written on a pair of work gloves destined for one of the disaster sites, others making donations of food, flashlights, bottled water, more volunteering their own labor to help in a task of enormous proportions and others giving money. Many responded in a simple and symbolic way by posting the flag in their window at home, at work and at school. There have been reports that retail outlets cannot keep new flag shipments in stock for more than an hour. What is calling so many to answer this call to hoist our flag? This call to the flag rang out across the land just after the first plane struck, not as a call that rings the phone, the airways or the internet, but, a call that stirs the hearts of all Americans, all races, all creeds, ages, all occupations. It is a call that is greater than any of us and eclipses our differences. This call is echoing around the world in the hearts of those who know and love freedom, our partners who labor with us in our effort to protect it. Our freedom that is assaulted with both increasing frequency and savagery. Our freedom that appears to be vanquished, at first, by those bringing terror into our cities, only to be bolstered to new heights by those that follow in freedom’s path. Dedicated service men and women, who came from our midst, have paid for our freedom with that which is priceless, their very lives. What motivates people like Patrick to serve and defend, protect and to lead? Why engage in work that is difficult at times, often dangerous, mostly tiresome, always demanding, pays poorly, and separates them from their family? Most people agree that the military is necessary, but, some avoid it altogether, others loathe it, many couldn’t stand up to the physical, mental and emotional demands it makes upon them or “hack it” as they say in military lingo, some use it strategically before starting a career as a civilian, and others enlist or get commissioned only to compel themselves to serve many years in whatever capacity they can, or rather as Uncle Sam orders them. Those that accept this and more are a rare breed indeed, each deserves our respect. So why do they do it? I believe they do so because they desire to be a part of something that is bigger than they are and to do so in an unselfish manner. They are driven to serve even those who naively believe they need no protection (it is fair to say that sort is a very small minority right now). Our service men and women serve because they love freedom, identify with God and country in a way that those who have not served are only now beginning to fathom. We owe a debt we can only pay interest on to each and every one of them, especially those who have fallen. Freedom that began as a thought over 200 years ago was built and is now thriving on a foundation of service and sacrifice, paid for in blood by the many who came before us, whom our loved one now joins rank with. Our alabaster cities are the model and envy of the world, based on the rule of law, not tyranny. That foundation has withstood assaults from within and will survive this one from abroad too. Freedom calls, we remember. We will answer freedom’s call and America will continue not only to prevail as the beacon of liberty for the world but to lead in this noble cause. Precious lives, taken in just moments, from those who now grieve as the memory of them dwells in us, because they answered freedoms call. They, including Patrick, who like others answered freedom’s call in their own, unique, American way, in the armed services, engaging work they loved along with others who join the police, fire, EMS, port authorities, and government workers, as well as medical staffs, clerks, technicians and technical staffs, teachers, bankers, artist, manufacturers, service providers, volunteers, moms, dads, researchers, students, and more. The flag is of course only a symbol, but a most powerful one indeed; it is a symbol that unifies us as we are joined as brothers, sisters and neighbors as our heart salutes it. The flag, like our National Anthem are enduring symbols not because of what we think of then, not what activists, athletes and celebrities think of them but because of what Patrick and others like him thought of them and especially the flag, a powerful symbol of undying freedom that will live and flourish as long as freedom’s call is answered. Clearly, we can never look at our flag or hear our National Anthem the same way again. America has known freedom and she knows it now. Our Greatest Generation, those who fought and won World War 2 sometimes wondered about and had temerity and great concern regarding those whom freedom’s mantle is now passing. They wondered if we had the mustard, the guts and the grit, to do what might need doing. After all, we had given them cause to be concerned as so much has been given to us, with most of us sacrificing little and before today, suffered much less than their generation to say little of those before them. Like President Johnson once said, “no one wants to fight, but, aren’t you glad someone knows how. Fear not our Latest Generation is prepared and will not let us down. The call for freedom is upon us now and America is answering. Our heroes who came before us, who answered freedom’s call will be avenged with diligence by those who are answering, even now. Rest assured others, like Patrick, and women too will rise to the challenge all threats to freedom and liberty, both foreign and domestic. Our heroes may no longer be with us so it is up to us to honor and respect them as well as support their loved ones. They shall remain in our hearts as long as freedom’s call is answered. The call for freedom calls for you, for me, for each of us in our own way, now, just as it did for Patrick. Let us pray to God, that He will continue to guide us as we answer America’s greatest call. Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Jude Murphy, US Navy, 38, of Flossmoor, IL, was killed on Sept. 11, 2001 while serving in the Pentagon for additional reserve duty that he had volunteered to perform after his annual reserve assignment had been completed. Patrick let a wife and two young children behind. Cliff Johns IC1 USS Gato (SSN 615) Sept. 28, 2001