We live in the land of the free because of the brave

OPINION:

The most impactful part of my first visit to Washington was walking past the tributes to our fallen heroes. Forty years ago this summer, I made my way to our nation’s capital as part of the American Legion’s Boys Nation program. We visited the U.S. Capitol and passed by the White House, but it was the monuments that stuck with me.

My senior counselor was Bob Turner. I vividly remember our visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as Mr. Turner read the names of men in his platoon on the polished black granite slabs. It transformed me. I found a whole new appreciation for their patriotism.

On Monday, we sent a group of 25 student leaders to France to commemorate D-Day. I spoke with them before they departed for those hallowed grounds. We gave them several assignments for the trip.

First, become a living museum filled with stories of the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice there 81 years ago. Tell their stories to family and friends upon returning to the United States.

Second, open your hearts to transformation. Just as the visit to the monuments in and around Washington touched me in the summer of 1985, I hope these young people will be moved by the solemn spaces they will pass through on their journey.

Third, live a life worthy of their sacrifice. Many of those killed on the beaches were the age of these young leaders. They fought so hard for freedom. Now, it is up to us to protect that freedom and teach future generations to do the same.

We hear some talk about privilege these days. Learning about the heroes buried in these American cemeteries is a reminder that we have red, white and blue privilege. The fallen were not divided by race, sex, religion or even economic status. They were all Americans.

One of them was Theodore Roosevelt III. He is buried at Normandy. His father was President Theodore Roosevelt, and he is often referred to simply as “Junior.” He fought in World War I and returned to live a full and prosperous life.

This son of a president was a veteran who helped start what is now known as the American Legion. He was elected to the New York Legislature and ran for other offices. He was appointed to serve as governor of Puerto Rico and then as governor general of the Philippines. He also served as assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy.

Roosevelt was a successful businessman. He was chairman of American Express and vice president of Doubleday publishing company.

After the United States entered the fighting in World War II, Roosevelt pushed to join the battle. Even though he was 56, had arthritis and used a cane, he was part of the first wave on Utah Beach.

Gen. Roosevelt survived the siege but died a few weeks later from a heart attack. He is buried in section D, row 28, grave 45 at the American Cemetery in Normandy. His younger brother Quentin Roosevelt was killed in World War I. Later, Quentin’s body was moved to Normandy and reinterred beside his elder brother.

The story of Theodore Roosevelt III is amazing because he did not have to be there. He had served his country honorably in World War I and held various positions after the war. He was a successful businessman and had a great family.

He and his brothers were the sons of a president. They could have easily been exempt from fighting in the armed forces, or at least kept from the front lines. On D-Day, he did not need to rush ashore with his troops, as no other general was on the ground. Plus, his heart condition and arthritis would have easily granted him a medical reason not to be on the battlefield.

Instead, Roosevelt led his troops into battle. He was willing to die for his country, to lay down his life to protect the freedoms we still hold dear. His sacrifice and the sacrifices of so many other American heroes give us privilege: red, white and blue privilege.

We are privileged to live in the land of the free because of the brave. I hope the student leaders see it during their visit to Normandy.

That was what happened to me years ago when I was a high school student. Looking at my reflection in the polished slabs of black granite, I realized that the best way to honor the lives of those listed on our monuments is to live a life worthy of their sacrifice.

We owe it to them to defend freedom today and then pass it on for the next generation to do the same.

• Scott Walker is a columnist for The Washington Times. He was the 45th governor of Wisconsin and launched a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He lives in Milwaukee and is the proud owner of a 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King. He can be reached at swalker@washingtontimes.com.