Independence Day
To quote from the Declaration
"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
This really gets my heart beating, indeed I have a hard time reading it w/out shedding tears. Patrick Henrys speech does this to me also, its a shame that most of the versions you find online are considerably shortened, it sickens me. Its said that as he read it he became more excited, louder untill he finished it, screaming. If that speech doesn't stir something in you then something is wrong with you.
July 4th is a time to reflect upon our history and remember how we came to be here. Through the sacrifice of others we enjoy the lives and freedom we have today. Its not perfect, it never has been nor ever will be. The difference between us and thos would oppose us is that -at a minimum- we are trying.
More people than can easily be counted died were maimed, were raped. Others lost everything and were reduced to poverty having spent everything they had to support the Revolution.
They have given us a great Gift, freedom to choose, let us not squander it. John adams said this about how to celibrate it: "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."
If loving my country makes me a redneck, so be it.
God Bless the United States!
Brian Oberle
Columbia Md
3 comments:
I did my semi-annual 4th of July event on Tuesday night, I watched the movie "Glory" for the umpteenth time. I usually either watch it or "Saving Private Ryan" for the 4th, Memorial Day or Remberence Day.
AS someone who dresses up in funny clothes and tries to recreate the Rev War era, I try to channel my ancestors who served in the PA militia during the Rev war, marched with Sherman during the "War of Yankee Agression", cussed at "dugout Doug" in WW2(and flew over the "Hump").
For those who have not seen it yet, try renting the HBO "John Adams" over the weekend, it the best on the Rev war era by far.
Tom
Hear,hear,
we have much to be thankful for and still stength to strive to be better
At our house, as usual, we'll put on 1776 sometime this weekend. And, as usual, I'll be in tears by the end.
I keep telling myself that Canadians feel the same way about July 1, the French about the 14th, Scots about November 30, and the English (for some reason that even they can't fully explain) about Guy Fawkes Day. But July 4 is OUR day....
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