What freedom means to me... David South

Joe Westbury

David South, Blackshear Baptist Church, Oakwood

David South is a veteran of the U.S. Army and lives in Braselton. His son, Curtis, profiled on the adjoining page, has just received his commission as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Freedom does not mean that anyone has the right, due to their religious beliefs, to deny me of my life and pursuit of happiness – whether they are Muslim terrorists or Christian zealots. Freedom is the ability to do in my home whatever I please as long as it does not adversely affect others.

“God-given freedom is the right to worship Him because I choose to do so, and to raise my family under His guidance. Man’s freedom , his responsibility, is to choose members of a non-oppressive government which is governed by man-made laws inspired by God.

“To preserve our freedom we must be diligent in teaching our history of the struggles which we have constantly fought for. I would give up my life to preserve the freedom of this country and for other oppressed nations who have the yearning to be free.”

David South, Blackshear Baptist Church, Oakwood