Happy Independence Day!

Below is one of the greatest speeches of all times.  Even though it has been over 11 score now and it is about one specific event, the meaning behind it is just as important now as it was back in 1863 when Mr. Lincoln gave this speech.  Please think of those who are fighting for us now, have fought for us in the past, and especially those who have sacrificed all so that we can enjoy the food and beverage of our choice on this day which celebrates our birth as a nation and the freedoms we continue to enjoy.

 

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here.

It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.  - Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln, 1863

 

May God bless you, your family, and the United States of America along with our allies worldwide!

Happy Birthday, USA!!!

Happy birthday, America!!!

Hard to imagine the thoughts that were going through the minds of our Founding Fathers back in 1776. We were the first colony that had a chance of seceding from the British Empire. But, they still had to be worrying about a lot of things: Will we succeed? Will we fail? What happens if we fail? Maybe even scarier, what will happen if we win? I certainly thank God they had the courage to strike out on their own.

The Declaration of Independence ranks up there as one of the greatest secular documents ever written. Right up there with the Magna Carta and our own Constitution. If you've never read it, think you should. A lot of men and women have sacrificed everything to make sure we will always have the "right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." If they are willing to do that, feel like I should at least take the time to read what inspired us to become our own nation. As always, many thanks to our veterans and their families!

It would have been difficult for our Founding Fathers to imagine just how great our country has turned out. Yeah, we've got our problems. Many may never be solved completely. But, there are still people doing everything they can to come join us. Must be doing something right.

Hope you have fun this weekend. Enjoy the fireworks, eat good food, and enjoy your beverage of choice. Pray for our soldiers everywhere, especially those in harm's way. Most importantly, be sure to thank God you have the opportunity to live in the greatest nation in the world!

May God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!!!!