Freedom Is Not Free (Nothing really is...)

Of all of the remarkable and sentimental war memorials on the National Mall, the Korean War Veterans Memorial is my favorite. It immediately caught my attention, being more of a piece of artwork than a typical memorial. It stands out with its captivating U.S. military statues and photographic archival images. It’s as if the soldiers themselves, dressed in full combat gear, are in the midst of the war, sneaking through the dangerous Korean terrain. That makes the memorial much more poignant than one with a large wall covered with, say, engraved names and American flags.

Furthermore, it has one of my favorite quotes, “Freedom is not free,” imprinted on a granite wall. While I do not support some of our country’s past and present war efforts, I will always support the troops. I know it’s what everyone says, but I truly mean it. When you have friends and family members who serve in the military, it really changes your perspective on patriotism and respect. It really hits you.

My grandfather served in the Korean War—on the Korean side. He was a man of importance in the Chinese military. Obviously, he fought against the United States, the country that I call home today—the country that my father, his son, chose to immigrate to in order to get a better education and find a job he is extremely passionate about.

I am proud of my grandfather, a man my father deeply admires to this day. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about the fact that my father was only able to have my grandfather in his life until he was ten years old. I am proud of my grandfather, a political victim of the government—a man who was eventually sent to a labor camp due to unwarranted suspicions of his betrayal of the Communist Party.

Although I have no family serving in any of the present wars, I do have friends and friends of friends who are. Freedom is not free. Someone is paying for me to enjoy the liberties that I value more than anything and I am very appreciative of that. Seeing the Korean War Veterans Memorial reminded me of how much my freedoms and liberties mean to me and how grateful I am to the people, like my grandfather, who willingly sacrifice their lives to defend their countries.

-B.C.