Freedom Never Cries - backstory

I posted the you-tube video for Freedom Never Cries as a salute to the military for the Fourth of July.  I didn’t want to clutter the post with any unnecessary words – but there is a story to be told.

There are several video versions of the song on you-tube, but the one I posted is the original from the artist (John Ondrasik of the band Five for Fighting). 

The better site to view the video is John’s own: (one of his charity sites)

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/706270

Although the You-Tube versions have limited play statistics, John’s web site version has been viewed more than 600,000 times.

According to the Wikipedia article on Five for Fighting, John is a UCLA grad with a degree in applied science and mathematics. The band name is a reference to ice hockey (when a player receives a five minute penalty for fighting).

As usual with modern music, I am coming late to the party.  But I saw the video and was moved by the haunting melody and the powerful graphics and the message of the story. 

As I read about John, I want to recognize his efforts for the cause of the military.  He has toured for the USO and worked to provide  music cd’s and mp3 free downloads for military personnel.

I have posted several items for the Fourth of July that talk about the high cost of freedom and the fact that it is our military forces and their families that are most frequently called upon to pay that price for all of us.  It was clear to me when I saw the Freedom Never Cries video that John Ondrasik “gets it” and I commend him for his efforts to remind us of our obligations.

So it was no surprise to read Michelle Malkin’s excellent interview with John which is published on Townhall.com today.  John talks about the left views of the entertainment industry and the few entertainers who have a different view (himself included).  And he talks about his motivation to pass on his message about freedom, the military and America.  Great article, a fine reminder of the meaning of the Fourth of July and an introduction to a remarkable American entertainer – John Ondrasik.

My source: http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichelleMalkin/2008/07/02/interview_with_a_hollywood_patriot

Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Interview with a Hollywood Patriot
By Michelle Malkin

Let us not, on this Independence Day weekend, dwell on the political pretenders to patriotism rushing to out-proclaim their love of country. Nor let us pay heed to the sneering movie directors and journalism pooh-bahs allergic to red, white and blue.

Instead, I'd like to share a bit of a special interview with a true Hollywood freedom-lover. Last week, my friend Melanie Morgan of Move America Forward and I co-hosted a special Internet telethon on Ustream.tv to raise money for care packages to send to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The effort yielded more than $1.1 million, thanks to thousands of generous donors across the country. Among the special guests who contributed time and resources was musician John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting.

New Yorkers have a special place in their heart for Ondrasik's work. His poignant song "Superman (It's Not Easy)" became an anthem for the first responders on the frontlines during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Military families across the country have adopted his song "Freedom Never Cries" as their own anthem. Ondrasik, who has participated in several USO tours, has produced and donated thousands of CDs for the troops -- as well as supported several pro-military charities through his website, www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com.

Plain-spoken and humble, the multi-talented Ondrasik told us why he was motivated to get involved in supporting American troops: "I think it's as important now to recognize our troops now that they're kind of off the front page and not the main story. I think whether it's wartime or peacetime, we have to constantly recognize their efforts, their families' efforts -- and music is one way to do that."

Where did his sense of patriotism come from?

"I have no family members who are in the military and not a lot of friends who've joined the military. Frankly, to me, it's just common sense. In our business, we make a living off liberty and freedom of speech. The world my children are going to grow up in, their opportunit[ies], their lives, their safety, are dependent on folks like our soldiers and their families. It's common sense to me. They provide us with everything that we take for granted a lot in this country. You know, that "Freedom Never Cries" video, I think the message of that video, at least for me, is that look, freedom is not free. There is a price that is paid for freedom, and we have to constantly acknowledge that. If we accept that freedom is free and that it's no big deal, I think we're in trouble. And I do think there is some of that mentality pervasive not only in the United States, but in Europe as well."

Ondrasik spoke frankly about anti-Americanism in Hollywood:

"To be honest with you, at times, I'm embarrassed to be part of this industry. There are people [who] do support the troops. A lot of them are under the radar. You don't hear a lot about them because they're going over to Iraq without a camera crew, and they're doing the right thing. Go down the line -- Gary Sinise, Kelsey Grammer, Patti Heaton, folks like that. But as an industry, I do think there's a lot of shame to be left at the doorstep of Hollywood. They make films that disparage the troops. Which is their right. Our troops are very stoic. They understand that. But they're human beings, too. And the art that comes out of Hollywood, the music, affects our perception in the world."

"People across the world are seeing films being made about troops that disparage them, and they're going to think, 'Hey, if they're saying that about themselves, it has to be true.' And I wouldn't be so bothered about it if there were the counterarguments -- you know, films basically showing the good side. You don't see that, and it's frustrating. I think it's to our detriment. And I think we pay a price for that ... I think people do take our troops for granted. They take our freedom for granted. I don't think we have the clarity we need as a country going forward."

Speaking as an American entertainer, Ondrasik talked about his duty to express gratitude for his country and those who defend it: "It is our job, our obligation. We can't pick up a gun, can't drive a tank or fly an aircraft, but I can write a song, and I can speak up, and I think it's important for people to do that."

Hear, hear. Happy 232nd birthday, America. For every blessing of liberty secured by our forefathers and defended by our men and women in uniform on the front lines, we thank you.