The Good of America
This last year it seems as if we are caught in an Orwellian nightmare where some seek to rewrite history, burn and loot our cities, and then declare they are the victims. Yes, this is a time of trial and tribulation, but this is also a day to remember and celebrate.
Over two hundred years ago, we fought the greatest military power on the planet, the British Empire, and won. Our goal was then, and remains, to establish democracy. Freedom of speech and faith, trial before an impartial jury, and much more were guaranteed in a bill of rights. Sure, it wasn’t perfect then and isn’t now. Nothing created by people ever is, but it began a trend toward a more inclusive and open government.
The flag that flew over Fort McHenry
The United States abolished slavery while it remained common in much of the world. Women were given legal standing and the right to vote. In more than a hundred other countries they lacked such basic rights.
When the fascism of Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito, devastated much of Europe and Asia, we fought alongside the beleaguered armies of the world to defeat them. In the words of President Kennedy, “We choose to go to the moon…and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Americans have done many hard things and much good. Take time with family, celebrate the nation and remember both the good and hard that America has done. Then tomorrow, continue the work to preserve this nation and, as President Reagan often said, make it “the shining city on a hill” that it was meant to be.
Have a happy Independence Day!
