Are we a country so divided by political, economic, and cultural differences that we can't take time to appreciate the freedoms purchased by the blood and treasure of so many young American lives? Throughout the nasty, contentious bickering, and disagreements that we will continue to have, there is something we should understand: The freedom to do so is not despite the sacrifices made by those brave heroes of our history, but rather, because of them, writes guest columnist Dave Del Camp, a retired Merchant Mariner who resides in Portland, Maine.