It was the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It was the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It was the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It was the Veteran, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the right to demonstrate.
It is the Veteran who salutes the flag,
Who served under the flag,
Whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Father Dennis O’Brien, USMC