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How much will you endure?

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"The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." --   Frederick Douglass Who is or was Frederick Douglas?   He was an escaped slave, who later became an Abolitionist, an author, and the editor of the   North Star   and later the New National Era These penetrating words were spoken by him in an address on West India Emancipation (4 August 1857) But these were not words taken out of context.  Not did he only preach about freedom on one occasion.  Frederick Douglas was outspoken and a fine orator.  He had been a slave, who understood a thing or two about being just out of arms reach of freedom.  Educating hi

Awakening

I have not posted since I first found out about my brother being killed in action.  I would be lying if I did not say that his death has not had a deep and devastating affect on me.  Jake was my little brother, but he was also a friend.  Aside from my wife, he knew me probably better than anyone.  We grew up together, sharing a lot of the same experiences and being shaped by a lot of the same influences.  It never mattered how long it had been between visits, a lot never had to be said.  I treasure the personal and private conversations where he would share a lot of the buried and not so pretty moments that a soldier has to endure.  And then we could laugh and poke fun at some of the lighter moments.  I have never been a soldier, but through my brother came to understand what it takes to be both a good soldier and a good friend to a soldier. One thing that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that Jake loved being a soldier, loved serving his country, believed in his Ranger Creed do