“Freedom is not free.”

This quote lines the wall at the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. It’s a quote I get to see every week, and a quote that allowed me to begin to understand the United States of America in a way I never had before.

Living in our nation’s capital has already been an eye-opening experience for me. Not only have I gotten to experience the real “city” way of life of hundreds of thousands here in the District, but I’ve come to understand our country better than ever. Something that has stuck out to me is the cost of our freedom here. While learning about our memorials and wars – from Vietnam and Korea to WWII – I’ve realized that we are beyond lucky to be in a country where we have the freedom that we do, and we’re even more fortunate to have people who believe in that freedom that they would give their lives for people they don’t even know.

Last night, my fellow Program Assistants and I went to the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol. At first, I was most excited to see The Beach Boys, Trace Adkins, and Trent Harmon. We endured the pouring rain to experience this since we weren’t sure when we’d get another chance to again. I went into it thinking that the concert would be fun and that we were there to enjoy ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, The Beach Boys are always fun and they definitely were, but as soon as the service & program started, I quickly learned that I was selfish to ever think that the concert would be a fun concert primarily for the viewers there and watching on TV. The concert was not at all for its viewers to sit back and to just have a good time, like Memorial Day weekend has seemed to come to be for many around the country. The concert was held and so widely broadcasted to help the nation understand how absolutely incredible it is that we get to live in this country because of the brave people who fight for us every single day, and suffer because of their fighting when they come back.

At the concert, we were surrounded by Veterans and active members of the military on the lawn and hearing them proudly sing their branch’s song and seeing them be so affected by the stories that were shared helped me understand it all. I don’t come from a military family, and I didn’t grow up with many people who served in the armed forces, so I never quite “got” it. But I caught a glimpse into what Memorial Day truly honors last night, and it was life-changing, despite how cliche it sounds. My image on our country has changed forever.

We’re a country that others look to. Maybe that’s because of our resources, our advances in technology and science, or our strong industries. I used to think the United States was the greatest country in the world because of what we can do as a nation, how influential we can be, and how we have the ability to make positive change. Now I see this differently. When I think of why the United States of America is so extraordinary, I picture the Arlington National Cemetery and the hundreds of thousands of Americans laid to rest there who gave their lives for something they believed in. The selflessness of the men and women who give it all for us to have the ability to contribute to our nation in a way many of the world’s citizens cannot is something we’ll never be able to fully grasp. That’s why I’m grateful I’ve gotten to understand it even a little bit so far this summer.

Our freedom is nothing to take lightly. I’m proud to be an American, not just because of living in the greatest country in the world, but because we live with some of the most brave, selfless, and phenomenal people in the world who believe in the country and what we stand for. And for that, on this Memorial Day, and every day, I’m eternally thankful.

Take a moment to remember how blessed you are to be an American today, and please remember to never forget those who allow us to be free day in and day out.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

-John 3:16