"The men and women who serve in our military have won for us every hour we live in freedom, sometimes at the expense of the very hours of the lifetimes they had hoped to live"
- Bob Riley
About this Quote
This quote by Bob Riley commemorates the sacrifices made by military workers, highlighting the profound relationship between their service and the liberties enjoyed by civilians. At its core, the declaration acknowledges that every moment of freedom experienced by citizens is a direct outcome of the dedication and sacrifices of those who serve in the armed force.
The phrase "won for us every hour we reside in freedom" underscores the idea that flexibility is not a provided, but rather something actively secured and preserved through the efforts of those in the militaries. It suggests that the liberties and rights that civilians typically take for given are hard-earned success, attained through the vigilance and commitment of military workers. This notion serves as a tip of the ongoing battles, seen and hidden, that are combated on behalf of a country's people.
The 2nd half of the quote, "sometimes at the cost of the very hours of the life times they had wished to live," poignantly catches the individual sacrifices made by these men and women. It highlights the truth that military service often involves giving up personal dreams, time with liked ones, and even life itself. It functions as a solemn acknowledgment that many service members pay the supreme cost, foregoing their own aspirations and prospective futures to guarantee the safety and liberty of others.
Riley's declaration welcomes reflection on the values of task and altruism, prompting people to acknowledge the depth of gratitude owed to military workers. It requires a gratitude of both the overt and subtle costs of liberty, motivating a collective recommendation of the sacrifices made by these people. In doing so, it likewise challenges civilians to honor these contributions through respect, remembrance, and by treasuring the freedoms that have been so dearly won.
"The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom"