LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin addressed a crowd at a sold-out military appreciation rally in Lakewood Monday evening.

As Palin took the stage at Colorado Christian University she thanked the members of the crowd for their service.

“Freedom is not free,” said Palin. “I thank you for being part of the solution.”

She then addressed the death of Osama bin Laden, who was killed by US forces.

"Yesterday was a testament to the military's dedication in relentlessly hunting down an enemy through many years of war, and we thank our President and we thank President Bush for having made the right calls to set up this victory," she said to the crowd.

Despite the victory, Palin added that America’s war on terror is still not over.

“Those who would kill in the name of religion must be sought,” said Palin. "We are still at war with the brutal enemy that hates America and our allies and all that we stand for."

The program included a former Pentagon official who disparaged Islam while he was a senior military intelligence official.

"The Tribute to the Troops" event raised $40,000 for survivors of fallen soldiers.