Op-Ed: Remembering the Price of Freedom

It’s that time of year again, when Idahoans turn out for parades, light fireworks, and celebrate the greatest country on God’s green earth. Two hundred forty-nine years ago, John Adams declared that we should commemorate America’s independence with pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, and boy, do we ever!

From the Emmett Cherry Festival to Meridian Dairy Days to Eagle Fun Days, Idahoans are already celebrating. Over the next few weeks, nearly every community in our great state will pay tribute to our country, culminating in the Fourth of July.

On Independence Day, come join us in downtown Boise for the Star-Spangled 4th, the annual parade celebrating America in our capital city. The Idaho GOP is back with our award-winning float, and this year, we’re honoring Idaho’s Medal of Honor recipients with a gold star motif.

Here are just a few of their stories:

• Junior Van Noy, born in Grace in 1924, enlisted in the Army during World War II. While manning a machine gun during an enemy assault near Finschhafen, New Guinea, he refused to retreat despite being wounded. He destroyed half the enemy force before falling in battle. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and buried in his beloved Idaho.
• Lloyd McCarter, born in St. Maries in 1917, served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry during World War II. He earned the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the battle for Corregidor Island in the Philippines. Tragically, after losing his wife to cancer, he took his own life in 1956.
• James Johnson, born in Pocatello in 1926, fought with the Marine Corps in the Korean War. At the Chosin Reservoir, he stayed behind to cover his platoon’s withdrawal, engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. He gave his life so that others might live, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

These are just three of many Idahoans who stepped up when freedom was on the line. We must never waver in our defense of this country and the flag for which it stands. At the same time, we must exercise wisdom when placing American lives in harm’s way. Sometimes, the best war is the one you don’t have to fight, which is why I couldn’t be more proud of President Trump for his efforts to promote peace around the world.

This Fourth of July, let us come together to celebrate our great nation, honor those who fought and died to keep it free, and look forward to a new golden age of peace and prosperity for all Americans.