The Hollywood star Chris Pratt of Guardians Of The Galaxy and Jurassic World fame spoke out on Monday to honor the men and women who have served in the United States military.
Pratt, 41, took to Instagram to pen the lengthy and emotional tribute to American veterans.
“America’s exceptional armed forces have altered the course of the world for the better,” Pratt wrote alongside some military photos.
“From the Union Army defeating slave owning confederates, to the Greatest Generation and her Allies vanquishing the Nazis or our special operators hunting down the perpetrators of 9/11.
We count the names of each fallen solider lest they be countless. They are the good guys. They run to the sound of gunfire. They know pain and suffering we never will.
“They have given us the most free and decent society planet earth has ever seen,” he added.
“We run the risk of losing that decency when we fail to instill gratitude in the minds of our youth or the perspective of what it actually means to be free- should they never learn of the selfless sacrifice of our armed service members in the face of oppressive evil.
So join me in showing support for our fallen.
Take a quiet moment to really consider the sacrifice.
And if you use the comments section on posts like this to bitch and moan about America please understand there are countries in the world where criticizing your government will get you killed or imprisoned.”
“Criticism is a right and necessity in amending the flawed systems of man,” Pratt concluded. “So by all means, let your voice be heard.
But never forget your right to free expression is paid for in blood. May God give their souls rest, and may they live in our memories this weekend and always.”
The post immediately went viral, with Pratt’s fellow actor David Oyelowo commenting, “Deeply moving. Thank you to the troops and their families for the sacrifice.”
These days, it often seems like members of the United States military don’t get the respect that they deserve in this country.
God bless Pratt for going above and beyond to make American veterans feel loved and appreciated on this holiday!
