This is so normal that I often take for granted that my freedoms were not earned but inherited, simply because of my nationality. These freedoms, however, were never free. Few people understand this more than the men and women who have served in the military.

This special edition of Focus on Artesia shares the stories of local veterans and explores other community groups who seek to honor what has been fought to keep. These are the stories of those who carried the burden of protecting freedoms that many of us take for granted—and they have contributed to our community ever since.

Perhaps the best place to start is by considering how we use those freedoms. Freedom is not guaranteed; it must be protected. The heart of freedom comes down to how we live alongside each other. This is most beautifully expressed in the way we treat each other as neighbors, especially when the freedoms that you hold dear are in direct opposition to mine.

While we always want to capture the good in our community, it would be dishonest to ignore the growing tension in our country. These states were declared united, not because of uniformity or absolute agreement, but because of a common goal. Let’s spend less time defining what divides us and more time working towards what we have in common, for with such efforts, communities and nations will thrive.

Both service members and civilians play a role in preserving freedom for years to come. The way we carry ourselves at work, church, school, and even on social media shapes our culture. We the people stand on the shoulders of giants. Let’s move forward, together, creating a nation in which future generations can stand.

Allyson Joy
Associate Publisher