Let Freedom Ring!
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….
…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Two hundred thirty four years ago a band of brothers came together in the muggy summer heat of Philadelphia to stand up for the rights of a group of colonies in the face of the most powerful force in the world at the time — the British government. Their courage to be willing to sacrifice their wealth, their liberty and their lives set our nation on a path to independence from England, but also planted the seeds in the American psyche that our cause, our purpose as a nation is for the establishment and protection of freedom in the world. Courageous men and women have been standing up for independence and freedom from the hills of Concorde and Lexington, where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, all the way to the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq today. As we all know, our freedom does not come without sacrifice.
This month as we join together, a diverse, but united American people, let’s remember the young men and women sacrificing everything for us and the many professionals who put their lives on the line every day to make our communities safe. Take a moment to thank someone in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Reserve, Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Personnel. And while you’re at it, thank yourself for all the times you have participated in democratic process that gives voice to our freedom. Together we make this nation great.
And while we embrace that sacrifice, we also celebrate our liberty — a truly unique and glorious expression of human equality and unalienable rights of a free people. Independence Day is a time of celebration — barbecue, parades, picnics, fairs, speeches, concerts, baseball and fireworks. So let’s get out there and party!
Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day!
Sharon