It is the soldier, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It’s the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It’s the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It’s the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to protest.
It’s the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It’s the soldier who salutes the flag,
Serves beneath the flag
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
— Written in 1970 by Charles M. Province, U.S. Army veteran
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