Happy 4th of July!
What does that mean? That is - what does that mean to you? What should it mean to you?
Simply it means we are celebrating the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, that it is the day that we exclaimed to the world - We want to be Free! It was our exclamation to the world that the colonies wanted, no needed to separate from England and be our own nation with our own set of laws where everyone would be considered equal and be able to worship as they wanted, to be able to speak their minds, work as they wished, have every opportunity they wished for, that was their dream, that was their vision for the future of America.
When I think of the 4th I want to celebrate freedom and remember how important that word means. I want to celebrate the very fact that we have the opportunity to celebrate this occasion freely. It is so important to me that other Americans know and understand the importance of freedom and know their history so they too may understand the word freedom. If Americans understand their history they will know how we came to be and why we must preserve the creation of this nation. When I see the flag wave, hear the national anthem I know I am where I am suppose to be, I know that I am free.
Others should not be told how to feel about the 4th, they should know what it is and why we celebrate this great day in America but they must then celebrate it as they see fit, as they see it should be from their own hearts. In every American's mind and heart they must hear the words - Fourth of July and know somehow that freedom is a part of it. The meaning of freedom in each American means something differently. They may have come from an oppressed country and found freedom here, they may have had a loved one give their life to preserving freedom on this soil, or foreign soil. Whatever the reason each American needs to reflect upon those words - Fourth of July in their own way, knowing it means something important, something worth celebrating.
Without the Fourth of July we would not have this opportunity to share these words or to even express them freely. Today we must reflect upon what it might be like not to have such an opportunity, not to have such a day to celebrate freedom. What might that be like? Would being complacent about our freedom be wise? Should we feel our freedom is worth fighting for? Worth preserving? I hope so.
Celebrate this year as never before, celebrate it as if it were the last. And then begin the fight to make sure it is the last one we will have to every worry whether our next year will be free or under social rule. The next and every one after will remember the Fourth of July 2009 is when Americans woke up and reclaimed their freedom - this time from enemies from within. We will remember how we stood up, fought and won freedom for America - again. So her future would be secure and our liberties save.
God Bless America
Long may Old Glory wave!
