Flag ceremonies, Pancake breakfasts, parades, games, music, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks are innately part of July 4th celebrations. As I got ready to attend a flag ceremony along with a pancake breakfast I reflected upon how many 4th of July celebrations I have attended. Dick and I never missed a fireworks display regardless if we were in Palm Springs or Waikiki or Reno.
More importantly I want everyone to take time to reflect upon the gifts we have in living in land where we have the freedom to live how we want, do what we want (within boundaries of the law), and believe what we want and that we have the technology to share our feelings with the world. The power to use our free agency should remind us to remember and honor our active service men and women. Even more importantly remembering and honoring those who fought for our freedom s during the last 236 years. When our founders (John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine to name a few) voted, and signed the Declaration of Independence they helped shape a country that allows me to expound my point of view with fear.
The song “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood
united states currency seal – IMG_7366_web (Photo credit: kevindean)
expresses how I feel as an American:
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be living here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
The Assembly Room in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
English: “The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776,” oil on canvas, by the American artist John Trumbull. 20 7/8 in. x 31 in. Yale University Art Gallery, Trumbull Collection. Courtesy of Yale University, New Haven, Conn. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I’m proud to be and American,
English: This is a high-resolution image of the United States Declaration of Independence (article (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
Happy Fourth of July! Take time to share with others how you feel today on the 236th celebration of our Declaration of Independence!
evesgreenleaf 