Photo to left: Bernard Nider and Secretary Gale

"Democracy simply can’t survive without the vigorous exercise of their freedoms by American citizens. It has been said that we are always just an election away from our future. In other words, those we elect to office, or allow by default to assume office, will chose the future, whether we like it or not. We sometimes take for granted the most basic of our rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to choose our religion, and freedom of association, which rights are not enjoyed by millions and millions of other people on the earth. These rights are those that permit us to have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Freedom isn’t free, as our veterans from so many overseas conflicts in the last century can confirm.

It comes with a price, not only to our servicemen and women who defend our freedoms in time of war, but also for all citizens who must defend it with their vote and their active voice in the affairs of government. Our private ballot is our ultimate voice in controlling our nation’s destiny. We must engage our heart and minds, and those of our families and friends, to accept this challenge of remaining a free people. By choosing to vote, we not only cast a ballot to decide on the best leadership for the future, but also cast the ballot as a living memorial to those servicemen and women who have made sacrifices, and some who paid the ultimate price, in order that we and our children and grandchildren might live in freedom as well.’

By choosing to vote, we not only cast a ballot to decide on the best leadership for the future, but also cast the ballot as a living memorial to those servicemen and women who have made sacrifices, and some who paid the ultimate price, in order that we and our children and grandchildren might live in freedom as well."