Cherish your right to vote, remember what it cost

I've been a precinct committeeman for the past 15 years. Leading up to Election Day, committeeman put up signs, knock on doors and pass out literature in their precinct. On Election Day the polling place is set up by the precinct election board to open by 6 a.m. for our voters.

I was moved by the commitment of the voters this year: An elderly neighbor who has difficulty walking but insisted her daughters bring her to vote in person. Or the person who came directly from working midnights to vote. This year our precinct saw five first-time voters arrive with their proud parents.

My hope is for all of us to remember how incredibly lucky we are to have the right to vote, and how many people have fought and died for us to enjoy that freedom. We should cherish that right.

The price of freedom is far too high for us to ever take it for granted.

- Phil Venecz, Hammond