We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights,
that among these are
Life,
Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness.
246 years ago today, these words were read before fifty-six of the bravest and wisest men the world has ever known. The Declaration of Independence was signed and The United States of America was born. The result... a land where men and women and children could freely live and be happy and worship God as they chose.
And America went on to become a shining light of freedom for the world. This is why we celebrate Independence Day. Not because of the barbeques and the swimming and the parades. Because of freedom.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
The most important thing to remember on Independence Day is that
Freedom is not Free.
Remember those who gave their lives for this country.
The other most important thing to remember on this day is that our freedom is in danger.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
~President Ronald Reagan
Happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Yankees and to the rest of you...
That goes for everybody, not just England ๐ |
No offense to my international friends, of course. After all, my best friend in the whole world isn't even a Yankee. Pardon my sense of humor ๐
Till Next Time!
Juliette