The weekend of June 16-17, 2007 was particularly hard for the U.S. soldiers embedded with the Afghans in southern Afghanistan. On 16 June (the day after a suicide bomber killed one coalition soldier and seven Afghan children about a mile and a half from my location), the body of a U.S. trainer was flown to our forward operating base. He was mortally wounded by an enemy RPG round within the province. The next day, three U.S. trainers and their interpreter were killed by an improved explosive devise about 15 miles south of our location. Four American trainers killed in only two days, out of a relatively small embedded training force. Quite the reminder that the freedom we exercise in America is not free, but bought by the grace of God and the blood of patriots.

The sacrifice of our fallen patriots is something we should remember as Americans celebrate the beginning of our great nation. A nation in which citizens "are endowed by our CREATOR with certain unalienable rights, that among these rights is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Important point: As expressed in our founding document, we believe our rights come from God and nobody, including government, can take those rights. This nation will only remain free as long as we continue to seek God's grace. Defending freedom sometimes requires we leave our secure shores and fight evil in foreign lands. That is what our military is doing today.

In Afghanistan, freedom is under attack, with Americans and Afghans battling for liberty. As proved by 9-11, the stability and freedom of Afghanistan is critical to the security of the United States. I would like to present readers with a portion of a speech I gave to a graduating class of Afghan National Security Forces. These forces have sustained ten times the number of casualties sustained by Americans. They are the focus of South Carolinians serving in Afghanistan under this largest mobilization in our State's recent history. Notice that a free and brave America, an America under God, is an example to the world, particularly Afghanistan.

"A year ago, I volunteered to come to Afghanistan, leaving my wife of sixteen years and three young children. My children asked before I left: 'Daddy, why do you have to risk your life when there are so many other men that can serve?' I answered that God has given me a sense of duty to defend our freedom and the freedom of the Afghan people. I, and so many other Americans, made this sacrifice because we believe in freedom and the future of liberty in Afghanistan as a way to defend America. We want the Afghan people to have the same opportunity for freedom that Americans have experienced throughout their lives. By God's help, the coalition military will leave Afghanistan because the Afghan military and police require no help. As new members of the Afghan National Security Forces, we are now brothers in this cause.

"Similar to coalition forces, you have volunteered to sacrifice much and risk your lives for the future of Afghanistan. You have done what most Afghan people know needs to be done: Bring freedom, justice and order to Afghanistan. This took courage and character and is testament to your bravery. You will stand forever with the ranks of brave warriors who have fought for a righteous cause throughout history. ..."

"I leave you with a quote from my hero, American President Teddy Roosevelt. This quote describes what you have become by having the courage to defend freedom. It describes what Americans mean by claiming to be the home of the brave: 'It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.' God bless you all."

May America always remain the land of the free and home of the brave. May she always stand with those who fight for freedom and continue to stand as the example of principled democracy. May Americans continue to view our country as "One Nation under God" and never forget the blessings God has bestowed on our great nation.

God Bless America,

Bill Connor

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