"It is
the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the
Soldier,
not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the
Soldier,
not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the
Soldier,
not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the
Soldier,
who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."
by Father Dennis Edward
O'Brien
United States Marine Corps