We sell our products on the free market, hire from a well-educated and motivated work force, grow our businesses without limits if we are successful, and make a fair profit. We all have the chance to study what interests us, work where we choose to work, take risks and fail and try again. What we have in America simply doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. Our whole democracy survives because we have brave men and women who fight to protect our way of life. What does this have to do with a column about business? Plenty. We rarely stop to think about what we are allowed to say or do, or where we can go. Whenever I hear that song, I am reminded how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can live pretty much as we please, within the law, of course.

Lee Greenwood wrote a popular patriotic song a number of years ago with lyrics that are perfect for Memorial Day:

I sincerely hope that Americans attach a deeper meaning to this unique holiday. For some, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, a long holiday weekend to head to the beach or fire up the barbecue.

Land of the free because of the brave