Sacrifices

To the editor:

On July 4, we celebrated our many freedoms that other countries do not enjoy. Freedom, though, has boundaries set by standards and responsibilities. Changing the standards without accepting the responsibility to adhere to and uphold them has weakened the protection of those boundaries and has resulted in decay of the society.

People make sacrifices to uphold the standards our founding fathers set. To found our nation, much sacrifice was endured: deprivation, starvation, little or no monetary compensation to the men or their families – and the shedding of blood.

Today, some of our neighbors are sacrificing their blood to protect us and our freedoms. They lay down their lives for others because meaningful purpose prompts sacrifice.

However, meaningless blood sacrifices are being made. These sacrifices are made to greed, selfishness, jealousy and other self-centered gods. These sacrifices are made by drunken drivers, murderers, rapists, abusers and such. The death toll from drunken driving is so much higher than the death toll of our troops in Iraq, but what purpose do the deaths caused by a drunken driver serve?

Our people defending us die for a purpose and with honor. Our country is free because of the sacrifice of our troops. I am also free because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice freed me from eternal death and gives purpose to my life. Even my physical death will complete my purpose and be followed by eternal rewards.

Margie Hinkle,

Lawrence