Happy belated Fourth of July to everyone. I just wanted to take a quick second out of my little vacation this week to write a quick blog post regarding this American holiday. This weekend I went to two fireworks shows, a baseball game, a cookout, spent time with my family and tomorrow I'll go to church. All in all a very nice and relaxing way to spend the holiday. However we need to remind each other and ourselves be reminded as to the sacrifices that went into the making and preservation of American independence. Tonight as I write this in the comfort of my home I have a niece and nephew staying with me whose father is serving in Iraq. It is his last tour of duty before he retires after 20 years in the United States Army. His and his family's sacrifice and the sacrifices of thousands of men and women just like them make it possible for us to continue our lives largely unmolested in this nation. Additionally we have troops in harms way all over the world notwithstanding Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, etcetera and I think we need to just take a moment to pray for the well being of they and their families during such service. I know this holiday in particular has a special and very personal meaning to those family members whose loved ones are on active deployment or for those who have not returned or who still carry the scars of war.
America is a nation of fighters. We fight abroad, we fight for ideals, we fight for our beliefs and often fight amongst ourselves over which direction we believe the country should take. During election years our differences seem more pronounced than our similarities. However in times of duress our unity becomes evident and galvanized. I truly believe that as we say the pledge of allegiance, watch fireworks and spend time with our families during this holiday that we all feel a sense of pride in our nation, warts and all. Either way we are free to feud, debate and chase our dreams in this country because men and women before us and even today make it safe for us to do so.
Those who initiated and fought the revolutionary war may disagree with some aspects of our nation today, but I believe in my heart of hearts that this disagreement would be greatly overshadowed with the pride they would feel at the prosperity of the American cause and ideal. America has come further than any of them could ever have anticipated and continues to be the greatest nation on earth. As a people Americans are brave, they are generous, they care about the well being and rights of others, they have a sense of morality, humanity and justice. Americans rush to the aid of strangers and strange lands during times of crisis, share in their wealth and demonstrate restraint in the face of adversity. America is successful because of the Americans who inhabit it and I am indeed proud to be counted among that number.
I'll leave this blog post with a quote from the period just before the American Revolutionary War. This quote summarizes to me the ideals that we celebrate during this holiday and I hope it is as inspiring to you as it has always been to me.
“The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry