| THE FOUR FREEDOMS AND FROGPOND
By Suzanne Mazer Stewart
MSZFROGGIE@aol.com
Suzanne Mazer Stewart can be read regularly on The Herald under COLUMNS
Several things have occured lately that bring to mind Franklin Roosevelt's speech concerning the four freedoms he
envisioned for the future. Now, these things might not mean as much to you, and at first they didn't to me, either. But as
you'll see, all together they truly embody the spirit of the "free" world FDR had in mind.
The first, freedom of speech, came to mind as my little girl was reading her story book the other day. We enjoy no
censorship, no government telling us what we can and cannot read. In Laos, a friend of mine recieves her mail across the
border in Thailand because the Loatian communist government could imprison her, an Australian, for something she reads or
writes contrary to the governement's "manifesto." Her little boy's story books have to be smuggled in, or pass a rigorous
inspection before he can take them off the shelf and read them. Here, my little ones can go into the library and pull
hundreds of books from the shelves and the only inspection they have to pass is mine. And I haven't even approached the
subject of television or radio. From the baby's "Blue's Clues" to hubby's NASCAR and cop shows, no one (other than me,
of
course) controls what the remote might bring up on our screen. Freedom of expression is alive and well.
The second, freedom of worship, was definitely evident in the last couple of weeks as the children attended Bible School.
We had planning meetings beforehand, with no more permission or approval needed than that of the minister. We had nearly
100 children each night, singing and praising God, learning Bible stories and having a good time free from any intrusions or
fears of being discovered practicing some "rogue" religion. Freedom of worship is alive and well.
Thirdly, freedom from want, was embodied at the opening of a new store in our area. Apparently, even though the mine has
once again shut down and the lumber company has had to cut back workers again, we still were taking so much business to
the "nearest" Dollar Store (20 minutes away) that they felt secure in opening one near here. Now, the only want I may have
is for something I don't feel like driving very far to get. Freedom from want is alive and well.
Lastly, freedom from fear. This one actually snuck up on me with the death of a friend. Denny was a WWII veteran, a
quiet family man, unassuming, proud as punch of his children and grandchildren, but rather humble about his military
service. You see, he had fought from Normandy on D-Day all the way to occupation in the Alps. He was one of those
millions
of Americans who, sixty years ago, so wanted a world free from the fear of tyranny and war, he gave up years of his life
to try and make that dream a reality. He was a hero in everyone's eyes but his own. To ask him, he just "did what needed to
be done." Today's world is once again in need of defenders like Denny. And once again, men like my cousins, my
brother-in-laws, and women like my friends are stepping up and answering the call. They don't do it for glory or fortune.
They do it because it needs to be done. Freedom from fear may not be a complete reality, but the dream of it has not been
trodden into the dust and forgotten .
We are blessed, indeed, to live in a nation where freedom is not only real, but is celebrated. Men and women like Denny
and his comrades have not been forgotten, nor have their accomplishments been taken for granted. We've been shaken,
we've been bruised, we've been bullied, but we're still here. Our freedoms are still strong, our dreams of a better world
for our children are still alive, and on this Fourth of July we'llhave the freedom to revel in it. |
