.independence.

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
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 freedom to protest.

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 is the Soldier who salutes the flag,

Who serves beneath the flag,

And whose coffin is draped by the flag,

Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

-Charles M. Province

There is an open-to-the-public event on base tonight. There is also a threat from ISIS. And there are young men standing guard over my home tonight.

While "personal rights" has been the buzzword on people's lips, I am surrounded by men and women who choose to serve. To put the needs of others ahead of their own. To sacrifice their own freedoms so others may live freely. To defend the flag and the constitution when others choose to walk over it. To believe that the United States are worth living for and dying for.

And I get to be a witness to that. It is an exhausting, frustrating, tear-wrenching, wonderful, chance-of-a-lifetime experience to be an active duty military family.

God bless America, and more so, God Bless the men and women of our Armed Forces.

You truly are the best of the best, and I am honored to stand alongside you.