Freedom. Today is September 11th. 9/11. Eighteen years after the towers fell. Eighteen years of war. Eighteen years of America’s best and brightest spending their youth fighting for our freedom on foreign soil. Because of this war, I had the privilege of fighting alongside heroes the equal of any warrior class the world has ever known. Because of this war, I have seen and experienced and accomplished things I never would have had the chance to otherwise.

But my war is over now. I retired in March, after a dual career that had me carrying a gun for a living for three decades. In April I had a long conversation with my friend and mentor Mike Pannone about being retired and what that really meant. Mike said something that really struck a chord with me. After a lifetime in service, we were both finally free. But like everything else in life, that freedom had a price.

The interesting thing about that is that those entrusted with protecting freedom aren’t truly free themselves. As a soldier you give up your freedoms as part of your service. As a police officer you are subject to greater scrutiny and restrictions than those you protect. This isn’t a complaint or a criticism. I knew the deal going in, and accepted it willingly.

What I didn’t know was the cost. Not my personal cost. Like I said, I knew what I would be paying and entered in to that with eyes open. And my price, while heavy, was worth it. For every ache and pain I feel now there was a victory then. For every freedom I put on hold there was a memory gained, a chance to be a part of something beyond just my own desires. What I bought with that coin was cheap at the price. I bought a life beyond the ordinary.

The full price wasn’t paid by me though. The real cost of that life was paid for me by others. Friends and teammates, and many I never knew. We all put our freedom on hold, but we didn’t all get to the payout at the end. They paid the cost for all of us. For everyone who served and everyone who didn’t. And here’s what that means. I don’t owe them sadness, or isolation. I don’t owe them bitterness or anger. I don’t owe them regret. They didn’t pay that price for me, for all of us, so that I would imprison myself with guilt.

They paid that price so that I could be free. So we all could be free. What I owe them is the life they should have had. Experiences and accomplishments. Enjoyment and relationships. What I owe them is to live a full rich life. I owe them my freedom, and the responsibilities and rewards it brings. I owe them an authentic life. And just as importantly I owe it to myself. We all do. Each and every one of us can choose between just existing or living a life that is true to our real selves.

We are all free if we choose to be. Not free from responsibility or consequence. But free all the same. Live your life, savor it. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, so seize each day. Strive and achieve. Relish and enjoy all that life has to offer. Learn and grow and become. Be free. Regardless of the price. Freedom is always worth the cost.