PRIORITY ONE - SURVIVAL OF THE FREE
CurryforAmerica.com
The harsh reality and truth of our existence is the
same today as it was in George Washington’s time.
Freedom is preserved only through the exercise of
spiritual strength, the power of will, determination
and, if all else fails, force of arms on the field
of battle. Before a free nation can flourish, it
must first survive.
There are worse deeds than the taking of human life.
There are those actions and policies that enslave,
destroy, corrupt, demean, or debauch our souls and
the lives and souls of others. Yes, we should pray
for a time of “no war” on earth, but let us not
forget that there will still be times of necessary
war.
The fact remains that if I am forced to make the
choice between saving the life of a member of the
I was often asked how a military man like me could
hold the seminary degree of Doctor of Ministry.
Then, as now, I see no “conflict of interest.” My
faith in God and in this great nation helped me make
difficult decisions.
Actually I think the question should be how can a
military man not have religious faith? How could a
military leader make the multiplicity of daily
decisions required in war without belief and faith
in God and a greater good? I fear for anyone who
directs the lives of others but lacks faith and a
sense of eternal responsibility.
In a time of war there will always be those who will
refuse to bear arms for their country for whatever
reason. These will remain safely at home preaching
peace sermons, treating with the enemy, and
criticizing political and military decisions and the
decision makers.
They will try to spread confusion, fear, doubt and
uncertainty throughout the land daily undermining
the morale of our brave men and women who face death
on the battlefield and in enemy prisons. And they
discourage and prey on vulnerable widows and
orphans. Fortunately these are in the minority.
Our armed forces exist as an instrument of the
people, support and sustain our nation’s foreign
policy and as a guarantor of our freedoms. It is the
responsibility of every generation to prepare a
better world for the generations to follow. There
will be a tomorrow and the
“Winning” at home and abroad is part of fighting. To
fight not to win is to fight to “no purpose.” The
mission of the military is to train, equip and
sustain disciplined units that are able to mobilize,
deploy, fight and win, to field a fighting force
that is both effective and affordable.
At the birth of our nation nearly two hundred and
fifty years ago our forefathers fought for liberty
and freedom. Since that time we have often had to
reaffirm our intention to remain the “land of the
free and the home of the brave” on the field of
battle. And we still find that the roots of
Like our forefathers, let us determine to never fall
into the trap pointed out by Edmund Burke, a noted
English statesman of the 1700s, “All that is
necessary for the forces of evil to win in the
world, is for enough good men to do nothing.”