How many Americans will read, or even hear, the text of the
Declaration of Independence today? How many prayers will be given in thanks
that we live is such an exceptional and free country? How many discussions will
be held on what this means to each of us?
Freedom was gained with commitment, dedication, and a great
deal of blood. In 1776, those revolutionaries, or patriots, committed their future,
their wealth, and their very lives on an idea that they could be free. Many
died in that pursuit, many others lost their families, and some lost fortunes.
Let us each celebrate today with friends and family,
remember the high cost of what we now enjoy. Put your flag out and feel the
pride. Put aside your partisan beliefs for a day and just be an American. No hyphens,
no dividers, just be an American.
Tomorrow, take a moment before picking up the mantle of
partisanship and look at what our Congress, our President, and our Supreme
Court Justices are doing. Look at their actions from how we could imagine those
Patriots of 1776 viewing them. Are our elected leaders honoring the Declaration
of Independence and the Constitution or are they ignoring them? Just as each
generation has had to ask these questions of themselves, so do the citizens of
American 238 years after the birth of this great nation.
Have a happy and safe Independence Day weekend!
