JMJ. Ed Freeman died in August of 2008 at the age of 80. He leaves behind a legacy that few of these days could emulate. He flew an un-armed Huey helicopter in Viet Nam, and in 1965, at the Battle of the Ia Drang, made 14 landings at LZ X-Ray to remove wounded GI's because medi-vac helicopters had refused to fly into that hell of enemy fire. For this action he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour. Our Lord said, "Greater love hath no man than that he lay down his life for a friend." Mr. Freeman certainly didn't even know these men and was fortunately not called to make that supreme sacrifice. All he knew is that they needed him. He was a volunteer.
Nowadays, who could measure themselves against this measure? Precious few, I imagine. My wife, though, is one. She has had MS for over 20 years. Each day she awakens with numb limbs and precious little energy. Despite this she gets herself out of bed. She transfers to her electric wheelchair and goes about her few activities of the day. She transfers to the toilet, she transfers to the bath-tub, and if she has the energy she occasionally prepares our dinner. If the weather is clement she walks our dog, Linus, and plays with our ferrets, Chloe and Casper.
Contrast these daily acts of bravery with those of a president who believes that the unborn have no rights, that those babies born in spite of botched abortions do not deserve life, and who believes that euthanasia is correct. God help this poor country.
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