Because other men and women served this country, you are free.

You are free to read this or any other newspaper in print or online. You are free to publicly criticize your government on any level without fear of retribution. You are free to worship … or not, and so forth and so on.

But as the expression goes, freedom isn’t free. Since the Revolutionary War era of this country, people have fought against oppression of any kind and have often paid with their lives.

For these sacrifices, we the living owe the dead some form of gratitude. The least we can do is to cherish and guard our freedoms.

We also can easily afford to make some time to participate in services during this Memorial Day weekend.

But if circumstances prevent attendance, then set aside a few minutes of sincere reflection — a moment to salute those women and men for what they gave and what we possess.

That’s not too much to ask for our freedom.