Lest We Forget ...

As we look forward to celebrating this last week in July, let us count our blessings and give thanks for this great country of ours.  Let us also remember our servicemen and women scattered all over the world who are fighting to keep it free ... and safe ... and always and forever, America, the Beautiful.

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

Let Freedom Ring!

As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate our freedom this week, 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.

They Died for All Mankind

One of my favorite poets is Edgar Guest, and, while doing some research for this Memorial Day post, I happened to come across the following poem which was written by Mr. Guest. These Did Not Pass in Selfishness; They Died for All Mankind     By Edgar A. Guest These did not pass in selfishness; they died for all mankind; They died to build a better world for all who stay behind; And we who hold their memory dear, and bring them flowers today, Should consecrate ourselves once more to live and die as they. They were defenders of the faith and guardians of the truth; That you and I might live and love, they gladly gave their youth; And we who set this day apart to honor them who sleep, Should pledge ourselves to hold the faith they gave their lives to keep. If tears are all we shed for them, then they have died in vain; If flowers are all we bring them now, forgotten they remain; If by their courage we ourselves to courage are not led, Then needlessly these graves have closed above our heroes dead. To symbolize our love with flowers is not enough to do; We must be brave as they were brave, and true as they were true. They died to build a better world, and we who mourn today, Should consecrate ourselves once more to live and die as they. As we celebrate this long Memorial Day weekend with picnics, barbeques, and family gatherings, let us also reverently honor and pay our respects to those who gave their lives in service of their country, preserving and protecting the freedoms that we all enjoy today.   Let us also remember with gratitude our servicemen and women who, at this very moment, are risking their lives to keep America out of harm's way.  May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.