Letter to the editor: The meaning of 'free'

free adjective 1. not under the control or power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes. 2. not or no longer confined or in prison.

free adverb 1. without cost or payment.

free verb 1. release from captivity, confinement or slavery.

Seventy-five years have passed since D-Day, and how things have changed in America since then. The young men and women involved in World War II and subsequent wars surely had a different meaning for the word “free” than many do today.

On Memorial Day, we celebrated the sacrifices and contributions of all those who served and died for this great nation. It would appear that most of our youth are ignorant of what sacrifices have been made to keep them “free” (adjective and verb).

Americans historically have traveled the globe to make people “free” (verb). We, too, have “free” (adjective) people, guaranteed by almost 2½ centuries of living by the rule of law, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There are those who wish to change or eliminate such freedoms.

Lastly, there is a new breed of Americans who want “free” (adverb) everything. Democratic socialists who are presidential candidates are promising “free” (adverb) education, housing, wages, health care, child care and other benefits paid for from the redistribution of wealth from working people. When you accept “free” (adverb) things from government, you are certain to lose the “free” that pertains to the verb and adjective.

This is your grammar lesson for the week!

D.R. Lewis

Chicora