The Military of the United States has helped to maintain the freedoms of our country. Since the Revolutionary War, veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines have shed blood, sweat, and tears to protect the liberties that we hold dear. The following is a list of just ten of the freedoms for which I am grateful that those veterans have protected over the past 233 years. They are listed in no particular order.

#1 Freedom to worship how I see fit. This is an inalienable right. One that is guaranteed to us by the Constitution. And while some fight to take away this right, by limiting how or where we may worship, one thing is certain: veterans of the United States have fought to protect our right to worship how we choose.

#2 Freedom to say what I want to say. Speech is protected by the 1st Amendment. It allows me to write this blog for veterans. It allows me to question those who govern me. Again this is an inalienable right and one which I often over look and will never be thankful enough for.

#3 Freedom to own a firearm. This is a hot button issue across the country right now. Many veterans and non-vets alike enjoy the freedoms secured by the 2nd Amendment. The right to own a gun is a right meant to ensure that the government cannot hold the country hostage as the British did before the Revolutionary War. Along with our military, organizations such as the NRA, will work tirelessly to ensure that we never lose this freedom.

#4 Freedom to move. This is a freedom that many people may take for granted. We have the ability to jump on the interstate and drive across the country if we so please. The freedom to move about our own country is not one that is shared universally. Many countries across the world do not allow their citizens to move about as freely a we do.

#5 Freedom to cause change. In the United States of America we have right and obligation to make changes to the makeup of our government when we disagree with how we are being led. It is our duty to observe how are elected officials represent us, and ,should their values not reflect our own, to oust them from power.

#6 Freedom of Press. Much like freedom of speech, freedom of the press allows the news to be reported. It also allows blogs like this one to be posted for reading. The press has the responsibility to report the news no matter how damning it may be. The press helps the people to be informed and cause change.

#7 Freedom to own a home. This freedom may be taken for granted by many veterans and non-vets alike. Because of our due process laws we are able to own our own homes without fear of our government taking it away without compensation.

#8 Freedom to get an education. We are not limited by our government as to what we can and cannot do with our own lives. Because of the military we are free to be educated as we see fit. As an added benefit to our veterans, programs have been established to help them with their education. The Montgomery GI Bill and other programs such as ROTC has allowed generations of veterans the opportunity to be well educated in the field of their choice.

#9 Freedom of Entrepreneurship. Thanks to our military’s and its veterans’ efforts, we are able to enjoy the capitalist society that we have. Entrepreneurship is the basic form of capitalism. At its heart, the economy of America rides on the backs of small business owners and the entrepreneurial spirit that they foster.

#10 Freedom to not live in fear. Perhaps the most underestimated freedom that American have because of our veterans. This freedom was briefly put away after the events of 9/11, however because of the brave men and women of our military Americans once again do not live in fear.