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“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” —Joseph Drake |
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Memorial Day isn’t just about fun and games. Don’t get me wrong, I love having the long weekend to spend time with my family. And who doesn’t like an excuse to barbecue?
But my family, and the families of servicemen and servicewomen around the country, understand the real meaning behind the day: to honor the sacrifice made by generations past to defend our freedoms.
As President Ronald Reagan said:
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well-thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same.
I inherited my freedom from my uncles, six of whom joined the U.S. army and fought in the highly decorated 442nd Infantry Regiment.
They did this despite the rest of our family being imprisoned in the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho.
“You may die, but you must do this to prove that we are loyal to America,” my grandfather told his sons from behind the barbed-wire walls.
My family was fortunate. Only one of those Sagami boys, Yohei, was killed. He died in France in 1944.
Yohei Sagami was posthumously awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star. He was 22 years old and died before he could get married and start a family of his own.
I never meet my Uncle Yohei, but our family continues to honor his service and sacrifice every Memorial Day.
But I’ve noticed in the past few years that, as a country, we are becoming increasingly accepting when the freedoms people like my uncle died for are infringed.
And one in particular seems to be under threat today: our privacy.
My father died at 2008 at 93 years of age and I know he would be disgusted at the government snooping on our phone calls and emails, the IRS’s abuse of power, the FBI spying on political candidates and other intrusions on the freedom that the Sagami boys fought for in World War II.
And he wouldn’t be alone. Many are trying to keep their digital footprint as light as ever to avoid the wandering eye of Big Brother.
Strong feelings like these mean opportunity for companies that help people who don’t want the government sticking its nose into our lives; especially our electronic lives.
After all, freedom from government control was the very reason cryptocurrencies were invented. They offer a means of possessing wealth that can’t be controlled by a central bank or confiscated by a government.
Taken a step further, the crypto market has also created privacy coins: unique cryptocurrencies that allow a user to gain total anonymity when making blockchain transactions.
If you do prefer investing in the asset market, there are dozens of cybersecurity stocks to consider, such Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT, Rated”C+”) and Check Point Software Technologies (Nasdaq: CHKP, Rated “U”).
If you’re more of an ETF investor, take a look at iShares Cybersecurity and Tech (NYSE: IHAK, Rated “U”) and ETFMG Prime Cyber Security (NYSE: HACK, Rated “C”).
As with all investing, in either the asset or crypto markets, timing is everything, so don’t just rush in.
That said, security, particularly cybersecurity, is going to be one of the biggest, most profitable businesses going forward. Particularly as more and more companies adopt telecommuting procedures.
Freedoms, including the right to privacy, are what my Uncle Yohei and hundreds of thousands of other American soldiers fought for. I hope that all of us can take a minute out of our holiday to remember those fallen veterans, and the values for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.
Best wishes,
Tony Sagami
