My Name is America

In honor of Independence Day, I would like to share this awesome video which epitomizes what America stands for. Best wishes to you for a memorable and safe 4th of July celebration. Video created by Todd Allen Herendeen and Kurt Orning

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate the 4th of July, let us remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way so that we may continue to enjoy "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the daily sacrifices they make for us. And let us also remember the courage, diligence, wisdom, and foresight of our founding fathers who, over two centuries ago, penned the Declaration of Independence. "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 ..." The significant aspect of the Declaration of Independence is that it changed the American “rebellion” against Great Britain into a “revolution.” From April 19, 1775 until July 2, 1776, the war was being fought so the colonists could regain their rights as Englishmen that had been taken away by the British from 1763-1775. The "Founding Fathers" On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution by Richard Henry Lee from Virginia that “these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved ....” This was truly a revolutionary statement. John Adams felt that July 2 would be the day that would be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with shows, games, sports, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other ....” July 4 is the day that was chosen as our “independence” day. That was the day that the Second Continental Congress approved but did not sign the document written by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson History has had a lot to do with the sanctity of July 4. It was on that day that the news of the Louisiana Purchase arrived in Washington, Henry David Thoreau arrived at Walden Pond, and President Abraham Lincoln learned of the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. However, the one incredible event that happened to ordain July 4 as something significant were the deaths of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, only hours apart from each other.

Let Freedom Ring

As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate our freedom this 4th of July weekend, let us remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way so that we may continue to enjoy "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the daily sacrifices they make for us.

And let us also remember the courage, diligence, wisdom, and foresight of our founding fathers who, over two centuries ago, penned the Declaration of Independence.

"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 ..." The significant aspect of the Declaration of Independence is that it changed the American “rebellion” against Great Britain into a “revolution.” From April 19, 1775 until July 2, 1776, the war was being fought so the colonists could regain their rights as Englishmen that had been taken away by the British from 1763-1775. The "Founding Fathers" On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution by Richard Henry Lee from Virginia that “these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved ....” This was truly a revolutionary statement. John Adams felt that July 2 would be the day that would be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with shows, games, sports, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other ....” July 4 is the day that was chosen as our “independence” day. That was the day that the Second Continental Congress approved but did not sign the document written by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson History has had a lot to do with the sanctity of July 4. It was on that day that the news of the Louisiana Purchase arrived in Washington, Henry David Thoreau arrived at Walden Pond, and President Abraham Lincoln learned of the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. However, the one incredible event that happened to ordain July 4 as something significant were the deaths of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, only hours apart from each other.

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 ..." The significant aspect of the Declaration of Independence is that it changed the American “rebellion” against Great Britain into a “revolution.” From April 19, 1775 until July 2, 1776, the war was being fought so the colonists could regain their rights as Englishmen that had been taken away by the British from 1763-1775. The "Founding Fathers" On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution by Richard Henry Lee from Virginia that “these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved ....” This was truly a revolutionary statement. John Adams felt that July 2 would be the day that would be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with shows, games, sports, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other ....” July 4 is the day that was chosen as our “independence” day. That was the day that the Second Continental Congress approved but did not sign the document written by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson History has had a lot to do with the sanctity of July 4. It was on that day that the news of the Louisiana Purchase arrived in Washington, Henry David Thoreau arrived at Walden Pond, and President Abraham Lincoln learned of the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. However, the one incredible event that happened to ordain July 4 as something significant were the deaths of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, only hours apart from each other. As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate our freedom this 4th of July weekend, let us remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way so that we may continue to enjoy "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

"I Am the Flag of the United States of America"

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, and the beaches of Normandy.

Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me. I'm presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq, and wherever freedom is needed.

I led my troops. I was dirty, battleworn, and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn, and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been burned, torn, and trampled in the streets of my country, and when it's done by those whom I've served in battle - it hurts. But I shall overcome - for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hours come when I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, when I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldiers, or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter ...

I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.

Dear God ... Long May I Wave!

[Author unknown]

Photos of Thomas Kinkade's prints borrowed from the internet