Daniel Unger was a young man from Exeter, California. On May 25, 2004 he was on escort duty for a group of Iraqi civilian contractors doing work at a base that came under mortar attack. All the soldiers ran for cover but the civilians were bewildered and unsure what to do. SPC Unger was able to guide them to the safety of a bunker but as a result he remained out in the open and was killed by the third mortar blast that hit the camp.
You can find out more about the life and death of Daniel Paul Unger at this website (www.danielunger.com), but today, let us consider one question.
Was this a life wasted?
This weekend many people in the United States will be involved in Memorial Day commemorations. They will honor the sacrifice of not only Daniel Unger, but the many thousands of service men and women who have died to protect the freedoms this country enjoys.
But let us consider the question….was their sacrifice in vain?
What use is our freedom when we turn around and enslave ourselves to other things?
Are we really free when we are somehow convinced that we NEED that mega venti mocca double chocolate “caffeine”iuccino (with extra cream)?
What use is our freedom when we allow our minds to become saturated with inane distractions?
Are we really free when, as of this month (May 2010) the national debt is over $13 trillion? That is over $42,000 per person! On top of that we can add the many families overloaded with credit card and other forms of debt.
Are we really free when we have a society with stress levels so high that it destroys our health, our relationships, and robs us of life’s joy?
Let this Memorial weekend not only be a time to remember and honor the men and women who have served their country. Let it also be a call to action. Let all like minded people stand together and be better stewards of the personal freedoms we enjoy and that came at such a high cost.
Ben says:
This is not a life wasted. This story is such a great reminder of the freedom provided by so many that sacrificed so much.
28th May 2010 at 2:20 pm
Pastor Marc Unger says:
I am Daniel’s proud dad. Our family is honored that you shared Daniel’s story on your website. He did not die in vain. Freedom is still worth fighting for! On 22 May 2007, President George W. Bush told me in the Oval Office that if freedom is an inalienalbe right given by God, then it must be for all people. We all cherish our freedom but it has been and continues to be purchased at an unspeakably high price. I know that price! Daniel knew that pricebefore joining, before deploying and before saving those two Iraqis. He was willing to pay the price so you and I can be free. Let’s use that freedom as Daniel did, to preach and teach the Word of God so that people around us can be free from the bondaage of sin. “If the Son [Jesus Christ] sets you free, you really will be free ” (John 8:36)! Pastor Marc Unger, Exeter Baptist Church
28th May 2010 at 3:19 pm
brianna says:
Because of their sacrifice I am free to not only “need” my Starbucks, but buy it as well. We chose the national debt, we had the freedom to vote for different leaders and did not. We had the freedom to protest our leaders choices, and to write our representatives, but we did not. So do not complain about the national debt, it is just as much your fault as anyones. In the future may we use our freedom to make better choices.
28th May 2010 at 5:48 pm
jwhite says:
Brianna – you are correct. It wouldn’t be real freedom if there was no ability to make choices (good or bad) – this article is not so much a complaint as opposed to merely pointing out that poor choices now can result in reduced choices or freedom later (not really rocket science I know). This is true both on an individual level as well as a national one. As for the future, here’s hoping that people will do exactly as you have suggested.
28th May 2010 at 10:02 pm