July 4, 2006
In the 230th year of American Independence

 
"Naked and starving as they are we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery."

 General George Washington at Valley Forge, February 16, 1778.

There must be FREEDOM for INDEPENDENCE to endure, and in 1776, that meant war to secure FREEDOM. In KOREA, whatever year we were there, FREEDOM had to be fought for and then defended. It is so today just as truthfully as in 1950. Men and women who have served in Korea gave the world a truth, in statement form, that many quote, but we have lived. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Happy Fourth, in the 230th year of FREEDOM, men and women who have served our Nation.

In many ways this is more our day, actually, than any of the others that they set aside and say belong to us. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!


Louis T. Dechert
National President, KWVA/US

"Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met”