Think about the words “land of the free home of the brave.” It takes integrity, sacrifice, awareness, and courage to maintain our freedoms. A nation where freedom reigns needs courageous men and women to speak out when they see injustice. Martin Niemöller is famous for his lament about not speaking out when individuals were unjustly losing their freedom in Nazi Germany. Hopefully Martin Niemöller’s lament will strengthen the resolve of courageous citizens to champion America’s freedoms.
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller 1892-1984