In consideration of Memorial Day, I need to read more about the Catholic Church's true teaching on freedom and liberty, but being a U.S. citizen, what is to be done concerning the U.S. and its Masonic principles? I want to get a better understanding of this. I know to distinguish among the country itself, its principles, and its government, but what is to be done people claim that soldiers are fighting for some kind of principle of "freedom"? Soldiers are meant to protect a nation, but I know there is also the fact that what we see in the world today is a big show too. If it was that bad where if our troops were not stationed in far off lands, would those nations try physically attacking us? It does not seem too likely unless the show run by the powers that be call for it. Another question: how true is the claim that the teachings of St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Thomas Aquinas contributed to American principles? I read some claim that James J. Walsh makes about the thirteenth century contributing to modern democracy too. Did people then take St. Thomas, St. Robert, and the events and writings of the thirteenth century out of context?