Saturday, July 04, 2009

Independence Day

The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation. ~Woodrow Wilson

I remember (being a child of the 80s) the first presidential election that I was really aware of and followed: Ronald Reagan. And I remember Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the USA" at the convention. Then, and now, the song still chokes me up. It's an amazing tribute to our country.

Lee Greenwood - God Bless The USA

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

So, today... while we swim and barbecue and watch fireworks, we need to remember what this day represents. Remember the people who died for us to live the way we do, and the people who are still fighting and dying for us and others, so we can spend the day swimming and barbecuing and watching fireworks.

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ~Thomas Jefferson

Happy Independence Day!

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8 comments:

Dru said...

Happy Independence Day!

Have a great Saturday and I hope you're not seeing any rain this weekend.

MomJane said...

Hope the sun in shining in your back yard. Have a great weekend.

Dayana said...

May the sun shine on your BQ and the mosquitoes fear the noise of the fireworks, LOL

Dayana~

Jen said...

Happy Independence Day, Marianne - to you and also thanks to your husband!

You might really enjoy this post:

http://www.waystationone.com/2009/07/ordinary-independence.html

I think Brian summed it up beautifully.

Brian Miller said...

@jen - thanks.

great piece. hard for me not to listen to greenwood and get teary. jefferson is my most intriguing president as well, so always good for a quote by him. happy independence day!

Brandy said...

Happy Independence Day! I hope that you and yours are enjoying this day.

Tori Lennox said...

Happy Fourth!!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Independence day!!