Since the beginning of our country's history, American soldiers have paid many painful prices. These brave fighters have painted the ground with blood and tears. Knowing that they could die, they go to battle and fight for the one thing we seek the most...freedom!

On a most tragic September 11th, 2001, our freedom was taken away by terrorists who tried to bring our nation down. The entire airspace in this country was closed, so our own freedom to fly was taken away for quite a few days. Our other freedom to drive was also taken away. The families of people who lived in downtown New York didn't know if their families were all right because first, all the telephone services were down and second, the freedom to drive in and out of New York was gone for some time. American troops are now in Afghanistan fighting to keep America's freedom away from the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. America will pull through all this victoriously!

America's proud military was started when America sought freedom from Britain. Patriots desired freedom from Britain because they thought that Britain wasn't being fair with taxes. Many loves were sacrificed to gain our country's freedom from Britain. The colonists came through and won the Revolutionary War and the freedom they fought for for. This is a big price that proud Americans pay, to this day, to defend the greatest nation in the world.

There are many other types of freedom. We feel safe walking around outside because of the police officers who defend the streets. They are paying the price for our freedom to walk outside safely by putting their lives on the line. Martin Luther King Jr. was defending the rights of African-Americans. He thought that black and whites and everybody else should be treated the same. King fought for the equality of African-Americans and all citizens. He put his life on the line to free the African Americans to be treated differently. He won a victory for civil rights for African-Americans but was tragically assassinated by one of his adversaries.

Although we're always thinking that we're free to do whatever we want, we have to remember that someone has, or is, paying the price for us to be free. Most of these people have paid with their lives just to make sure that this great nation stays free. We have to remember that there will always be someone paying for us and we have to thank these brave souls.