Liberty cannot be maintained without sacrifice. Liberty cannot prevail if those who have it refuse to do their duty. America is supposed to be the bastion of freedom and Americans are supposed to be willing to sacrifice their all for the health and well-being of their neighbors. During World War Two, millions of Americans were willing to sacrifice their all to ensure that freedom prevailed during one of the darkest times in human history. Americans on the home front sacrificed their basic rights in order to ensure that freedom would always ring. They subjected themselves to curfews, increased taxation and extensive rationing, without much complaint. They knew their sacrifices would be vital for the continuation of liberty throughout the globe and for the wellbeing of their children.

Yet, 76 years later, our nation refuses to do their part to ensure the well-being of their fellow countrymen. 633,112 Americans have died from COVID-19 in the span of a year and a half, whereas in the span of four years, 419,400 Americans died from World War II. Why haven’t we learned from the example of “The Greatest Generation?” Why have we allowed more people to die during this pandemic than during four years of total war?

To my fellow Americans, why have we become so selfish? Why have we stopped caring for our neighbors? To my friends who refuse to be vaccinated due to politics, I urge you to reconsider. A global pandemic is not something that should be politicized. The most American thing to do is to do what we must, in order to end the pandemic. You should be following the example of those who lived through the horrors of World War II. To my friends who refuse to be vaccinated due to religion, I urge you to reconsider. Isn’t sacrifice the basis of religion? For those who follow the teachings of Christ, shouldn’t you follow his example and love your neighbors? I urge you to do the right thing.

Matthew Gorton

Ferrisburgh