The Renaming of Freedom Bridge
(Speech for Dedication Ceremony, June 3, 2006)
by Florence E. Dix

Many believe Freedom is divinely ordained.  For sure, Freedom is precious, empowering, and, according to Thomas Paine, glorious in triumph.  Freedom is also often misunderstood, taken for granted, certainly abused; yet it still unites, rather than divides.  It is hard won, all too easily lost.  It stirs the deepest passions, but is neither partisan nor polarizing.  Freedom is tangible, visceral, and excites our senses: it is like breathing, like a lantern’s beam in the darkest night, like the rustling of the flag in the wind; it is what brings tears to our eyes when Old Glory passes by or the National Anthem plays.

As our Founding Fathers expressed, Freedom is built brick by brick, precept upon precept, always secured by the health, wealth, lives and limbs of millions of patriots who, like our Founding Fathers, pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to what George Washington and Thomas Paine called “the cause of all mankind.” The craving for Freedom is universal, yet Freedom in America is distinctive and unique throughout all of world history. 

This is illustrated by a single fact: the signature of the most important figure in the nation’s founding – George Washington – cannot be found among the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Now how could this be?  Because General Washington was leading the Continental Army, protecting the Continental Congress, so the Founding Fathers could create our Declaration of Independence – a first step toward writing those marvelous documents, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Thus we state unequivocally, undebatably, the Armed Forces of this Republic are the foundation upon which our Freedom is built.  It is true that the Military defends and protects our Freedom; but it goes far beyond that: they ARE the very foundation of it.  Without the Military, the United States and Freedom would not exist.  Freedom is indeed fragile, is not free, and the highest price for all its benefits is paid by our amazing Armed Forces.

It is appropriate, then, that a veteran, 1st Sergeant Richard Rabisa, be the reason we are here today.  A proud Infantryman for 21 years, Sergeant Rabisa saw duty in Germany, in Korea at the end of that war, and two combat tours in Vietnam.  His vision and resolve put this wheel in motion, which, combined with the efforts of Senator Carrell and other State legislators, have resulted in a victory for Freedom Bridge.  Sergeant Rabisa embodies our concept of the free citizen, and of the power of a single individual in a free society.  “But renaming The Bridge is not for me,” the Sergeant emphasized. “It is for the ones who have defended our Freedom, and for their families, that I felt this must happen, and I wasn’t going to stop until it did.”

It is also appropriate to honor Captain Phyllis Jane Keller, United States Air Force, Retired, who recently passed on.  A military pioneer in her own right, as a long time member of the Bridge People Regulars she was a tireless, steadfast, enthusiastic supporter of Freedom Bridge.  Phyllis expressed contagious delight when she heard the Freedom Bridge proposal had been approved by the DOT.  This event would have pleased her no end, and we wish she could have celebrated it with us today.

Fallen hero Duane Longstreth, whose family are Bridge People Regulars, is special to us.  At 17, shortly after 9-11, he enlisted in the Army.  At 18, he was deployed to Iraq with Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he died shortly after his 19th birthday.  He was so clear about why he volunteered: to help protect his family and the nation from further attacks.  Duane epitomizes the brave millions of Fallen Heroes whose blood has bought, and continues to preserve, our Freedom.

From America’s beginnings, they – all our Military – represent the best of the best, the finest of the fine.  They continue to emerge from the country’s heart to protect and defend us and all we hold dear.  It is to them and their families that Freedom Bridge is dedicated.  This structure will now serve as a reminder to every one of the countless passing vehicles that this community loves and supports its warrior heroes and heroines. 

New tyrannies unlike any before are now coming against us.  But no matter how enemies from without, or fifth columns from within, try to undermine or attack our Armed Forces, they will never succeed.  The relationship between civilian and soldier is sacred, profound, and inviolable.  We know this is not only the land of the free and the home of the brave; it is the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave.  So, on behalf of The Bridge People Regulars of Outpost 122, now at Freedom Bridge, we honor, respect, and thank all of you and your families for centuries of selfless sacrifice.  We live in Freedom because of you.  Simply put, though inadequately expressed here, we owe you everything.  Period.  We civilians can never repay you properly.  But Freedom Bridge is a jolly good start!