Let Freedom Ring!

“Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key

On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, PA, a document penned by Thomas Jefferson was approved by the Continental Congress. The original ideal of the Continental Congress was to draft a letter that declared the United Colonies to no longer be subject to the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain, and to stipulate that said colonies were free and independent. This document became known to the world as The Declaration of Independence. If you know anything about American history, then you know what followed over the next seven years. And if for some reason you don’t know, please go and educate yourself about the American Revolutionary War.

The Fourth of July… Independence Day… Maybe the greatest secular holiday celebrated in this country. A day that passed with little fan fare a year after the original document was signed. In fact, it was only celebrated in Philadelphia with a ceremonial dinner, bells, bonfires, and…fireworks. (In 1788, Philadelphia held a grand celebration on the Fourth of July as this year also marked the ratification of the Constitution.) Boston had adopted the celebration in 1783, and eventually, this patriotic celebration spread throughout the land with parades, patriotic displays, picnics, and fireworks. In other words, it continues to be celebrated much as it was over two hundred years ago.

Ask yourself, now, why you celebrate this particular holiday. I hope that your answer isn’t something as simple as you like to see fireworks make pretty colors in the sky, or that you like it just because it’s another day you don’t have to go to work, or because you like stuffing your face with Carnie food. (FYI… I like the color displays, I like not having to work, and I like a smothered foot long hot dog as much as anyone else.)

But, in my not so humble opinion, this holiday should not be about food, or fun, or taking the day off. This holiday should be a day for reflection, for appreciation, and for thanks. This is a day in history that a minority group stood up and said, “Enough!! We’re not going to take this unjust treatment anymore! We’re through! It’s our turn now!” This little band of rebels stood up to the Empire against all odds and fought. They fought for freedoms they had never had before, for ideals that were not approved of by the government, and for a way of life that was fair and just. They fought… Men died… And a new nation was born… “…conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

And two hundred and thirty years later, I was able to take my son to see a fireworks display in small town America so he could see the colors in the sky, and listen to his father whisper in his ear about how his country came to exist. Does he remember that right now? No… All he remembers are the “pretty colors.” But some day, he will know, and he will remember, just like his father does now because of how my father raised me, and taught me from a very early age.

Many have died over the course of this countries history to ensure we still enjoy the freedoms we have today. I would imagine that many more may die to ensure it is never taken away from us. From Lexington & Concord, New Orleans, Bull Run & Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, through France & Germany, Korea, Viet Nam, Kuwait & Iraq, and Afghanistan, American's have fought and are fighting to keep our country free. Support them, honor them, and most importantly………thank them!

Remember this the next time you hear that the United States has no business fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by foreign forces. The last official count I saw on the deaths caused was 2,819. To find a single day death toll greater than this number you would have to go back to the American Civil War and revisit Antietam where we lost about 4000 men (Union and Confederate – Americans either way). To compare, the United States lost 2,403 lives the last time the She was attacked by surprise at Pearl Harbor.

Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” The truth is that price exacts even a greater toll. It also needs sacrifice, honor, and dedication. And it needs the support of the American people.

My Fellow Americans!!!! Join me on this day, July 4, our Independence Day in celebrating our Country, our Flag, our Troops, and OUR FREEDOM!!!!

I leave you with a quote from a most controversial person... Think long and hard about what he says and how correct he was:

"What luck for the rulers that men do not think..." -- Adolf Hitler