The Declaration of Independence

At the risk of sounding cliche', I am proud to be an American. While I have never lived elsewhere and my travels have only taken me just outside of California and Arizona where I crossed the Mexican border to shop, I know this is the best place on Earth for me.

This year has been monumental in that we've elected a black man as our president. We're facing financial crisis. Jobs are being lost at a ridiculous rate. Panic has stricken in the hearts of many. Across the globe there is unrest and war. Other governments are looking to us, the United States of America, for aid ... or firing upon us for the efforts made to give their citizens help. Sometimes we're damned if we do; damned if we don't.

Times have changed mightily since the Declaration of Independence was signed by our founding fathers. OH, sure! There's still war being waged. The weapons of war have the capabilities to inflict greater damage upon the people of this delicate planet. What is a greater weapon (and perhaps more frightening) is the minds of the leaders of the world. Without their potentially warped manner of thinking, those nuclear missiles are rendered useless.

Tomorrow we picnic and spend time with family and friends. We'll set off fireworks. Ice cream makers will be dragged from the dusty corners of the garage. Red, white and blue attire will be donned. Our national flag will flounce in the wind to symbolize our patriotism. Sunburns will fester by nightfall. Alcohol will be consumed in (hopefully) in a responsible manner.

Remembered are the brave soldiers who are fighting to keep our borders safe. While we're sleeping comfortably someones sons and daughters are awake to keep watch on the seas and night skies.

I implore you to remember and represent why America is so great. The world is watching.

God Bless America. Happy Independence Day, friends.



"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." -- Erma Bombeck

photo borrowed from www.wimmer52.com