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| Signing of the Declaration of Independence |
The citizens of the United
States have unknowingly done themselves a disservice in calling one of our Nation’s
greatest holidays by the date. As Independence Day approaches so many of us
will be going to 4th of July BBQs and parties, gathering fireworks
and celebrating with family and it’s these pieces of the Independence Day
holiday that really makes it exciting for me. I love the smell of BBQ and
watching fireworks light up the night sky. It is something that is uniquely
American and I’m proud to celebrate that tradition yearly.
With so many activities and
events it’s tough to stop and remember what happened on July 4th
1776, 237 years ago. Our founding fathers, after months of deliberation and
struggle argued and debated over the proper course of action in response to the
tyrannical actions of King George. Despite some thoughts of uncertainty and
even some who wanted nothing to do with it the Declaration of Independence was
signed giving us power and freedom from the hands of a tyrannical and
oppressive government. We were free to dictate our own lives according to our
own desires and not those of a king thousands of miles away. It is not just the 4th of July, it is our Independence Day.
The great Battle of Gettysburg coincidentally occurred over the week of the 4th of July in 1863. It
took the lives of thousands of American soldiers and each side felt the weight
of the loss. So much so that President Lincoln himself visited the site and
offered one of his greatest speeches ever starting, “Fourscore and eighty years
ago…” Annually the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania hosts the Civil War battle reenactment
of Gettysburg. This year I have been so lucky as to be stationed a few hours
away from the site of that battle and have bought tickets to observe the
action.
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| Battle of Gettysburg |
With that great speech given by
our greatest President present in my mind I humbly think of the actions of
thousands of men who have preserved that freedom through their actions; even
unto death. Many may believe the confederate soldiers have no place to be
honored because they rebelled against their country and on the opposite side
there are those who claim that the aggression of the North was too great not to
act. Regardless of the initial reasons for the battles each side of the
American Civil War viciously fought for their freedom.
Each battle fought under the
banner of this great nation has been for the purpose of freedom. Not every
battle fought with our nation’s ensign was fought solely for the freedom of
Americans. In some cases we have selflessly acted for the benefit of others. I’m
not ignorant that there are often underlying political reasons behind these
actions but the truth remains that we offer freedom to those around us if they
but ask for it.
The greatest gift that can be
given is for a person to give up their life for another. Throughout the years
and during the numerous battles and wars our soldiers, marines and sailors have
given up their lives in defense of something greater than themselves. This
Independence I intend to do more than just enjoy the smell of BBQ and watch the
fireworks. As I sit and watch the reenactment of thousands of men giving their
lives for our freedom I will be thinking of what kind of a nation we live in.
For me it is a nation of heroes
and not one full of people selfishly working towards them only. I see a
community of brethren united together for a common purpose; the purpose of
freedom. We might not see eye to eye on religion or politics but we can all
agree that freedom is the greatest export of this country and one that we
should hold dear to our hearts. God bless the United States and long live the
American Dream!
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