| …remember the meaning of this day, when, in 1776, a small band of citizens came together, signed the Declaration of Independence, at the peril of their lives and fortunes, threw off tyranny, established the United States of America as a nation and changed the course of the world.
Until that declaration, rights came from some monarch, from some government and hence could be revoked.
Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, there is hardly a person who wouldn’t recognize and be inspired by the second sentence that made it clear for all time the source of human rights and made it clear that no man, no government could revoke them.
“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.”
Declaration of Independence on the Wikipedia
Let us remember, today, that it took them seven years of fighting to gain the freedom they proclaimed on that day.
Let us remember, too, that in the over 235 years since the Declaration of Independence, generations of Americans have fought and died to preserve the freedoms that we have inherited.
Let us not take our freedoms and the sacrifices of those who defended them for granted and let us recommit to preserve and defend them for future generations with the same courage and vigor that they did.
Let us remember, too, the words from the inaugural address of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, where he called on not only Americans, but on all peoples to step up…
“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in it’s hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility, I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation.
The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it, and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
… whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you… with a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on Earth, God’s work must truly be our own.” ---John F. Kennedy
Full JFK Inaugural Address on the Wikipedia
In 1776, 13 colonies came together to unite as one nation, the United States of America. We are fifty states, now, united, yet independent. Let us remain that way, united, yet independent. That was how our nation began and how it has prospered for over 234 years… United and Independent. Our strength as a nation is our independent spirit and our willingness and ability to unite for our common goals… Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Perhaps it will help us to remember in our challenging times, that many others faced mighty challenges before us and overcame those challenges. We shall, too, as long as we remain true to our beginnings… United and Independent.
God Bless America |
