"Freedom isn't free", "freedom is not free", "freedom's not free", or "freedom ain't free" is an American

idiom An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...

. The expression is used to describe sacrifice during times of crisis, being used widely in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

to express gratitude to the

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distin ...

for defending freedom. It may be used as a

rhetorical device In rhetoric, a rhetorical device, persuasive device, or stylistic device is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading them towards considering a topic from a perspective, ...

. The phrase is more generally used to describe how Americans responded to the 9/11 attacks, "...the aftermath of the attacks, our city, our nation and people across the world came together..." The phrase has been used by both conservative and liberals alike to describe the tragedy and the sacrifices of both the American people and its military after the

9/11 terrorist attacks The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commerci ...

. As the ideal that sacrifice was necessary to battle terrorism, legislation was passed such as the

Patriot Act The USA PATRIOT Act (commonly known as the Patriot Act) was a landmark Act of the United States Congress, signed into law by President George W. Bush. The formal name of the statute is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appro ...

which gave the American government considerable reach into surveillance of lives of common citizens. The act is now a controversial topic as some claim it's necessary to combat ongoing terrorism and others see it as a needless expansion of the federal government.

History

The idiom expresses gratitude for the service of members of the military, implicitly stating that the freedoms enjoyed by many citizens in many democracies are possible only through the risks taken and sacrifices made by those in the military, drafted or not. The saying is often used to convey respect specifically to those who have given their lives in defense of freedom. It is accredited to Col. Walter Hitchcock of the

New Mexico Military Institute New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) is a public military junior college and high school in Roswell, New Mexico. Founded in 1891, NMMI operates under the auspices of the State of New Mexico, under a dedicated Board of Regents that reports to the ...

in Roswell, New Mexico. The phrase can be found in an early recordings for Liberal Party of Australia, by a fictional character, John Henry Austral. The series was a part of 200 episodes described as, "part serial, part satire ndpart soapbox." The original topic of the episode was focused on worker's rights and not the military. "Freedom Is Not Free" is engraved into one wall at the

Korean War Veterans Memorial The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in Washington, D.C.'s West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. It memorializes those who served ...

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

There is a reflective pool in front of the memorial.

Popular culture

"Freedom Isn't Free" is the name of a song by

Trey Parker Randolph Severn "Trey" Parker III (born October 19, 1969) is an American actor, animator, filmmaker, and composer. He is known for co-creating ''South Park'' (since 1997) and ''The Book of Mormon'' (2011) with his creative partner Matt Stone. P ...

in the 2004 film '' Team America: World Police'' and is also the name of a song recorded by

Up with People Up with People (UWP) is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Up with People stages song and dance performances promoting themes such as multiculturalism, racial equality, and positive thinking. History Archives The UWP Archives ...

References

{{Reflist American political catchphrases

History

Popular culture

See also

References