Who separates the Free from the Oppressed?

Who guarantees our God-given rights?

That thin red line has always been trodden by the brave steps of the American Veteran.

Sometimes, that Truth is demonstrated throughout the Free World…more than it is in the USA.

An example of this happened just a month ago, in the tiny nation of Lithuania.

Lithuania is a very small nation that sits between the Baltic Sea and Russia. Throughout their long history, Lithanians have tried very hard to maintain their freedoms – all while living next to the most aggressive nation on the planet.

At times, Lithuania has lost her freedoms – like in the brutal days of the Soviet union.

But, thanks to the efforts of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II, Poland – and then more than another dozen nations – won their freedoms overnight from the Soviet Union.

In a miraculous event that has no precedent in history – the Berlin Wall fell and the nations of Eastern Europe were liberated and the “evil empire” collapsed…all without firing a single shot.

Lithuania is one of those nations.

Though the mainstream media – still – refuses to acknowledge that miracle – that they, themselves had witnessed…the people of Lithuania know better.

Free peoples all across Eastern Europe today know – then and now – that peace through strength – demonstrated by the stalwart resilience of the American soldier – freed them through the Soviets.

And they are grateful.

In 2004, Lithuania was thrilled to join NATO.

She did so, in order to avoid the calamity that we are witnessing in Ukraine today.

In order to guarantee Lithuania’s freedom, 1000 US warriors are stationed in Lithuania.

Unfortunately, just a few weeks ago in April, 4 brave America soldiers – from Fort Stewart, GA – were lost in a military exercise in Lithuania. Their names were…

• Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois
• Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California
• Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam
• Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan

The people of Lithuania were so saddened by the event – so grateful that Americans soldiers are there to protect them from the Russians – that they spontaneously organized a memorial day of their own…for our American fallen.

Thousands of Lithuanians – waving the Stars and Stripes – gathered on the streets of their capital of Vilnius – to honor our American soldiers.

Think of it! Thousands of Eastern Europeans – many of them weeping – gratefully waving American flags!

Of course, many similar celebrations occurred long ago, in much larger nations throughout the free peoples of the Earth…especially after the end of the Great War and WWII.

But it’s important to remember that they still happen today – to honor the sacrifices of our brave fallen. 

Dave Belton is a former state representative for District 112, which includes portions of Morgan and Newton counties, in the Georgia House of Representatives.