Therefore, We Celebrate Independence Day!

Written by Jason Haines

“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,” -Thomas Jefferson

Growing up in the 80’s I didn’t realize I was living in an era of great patriotism that was celebrated by what appeared to be everyone. Flags everywhere, the national anthem at the beginning of classes, and great books about our forefathers. I was one of those kids that loved to dress up and pretend I was George Washington; I couldn’t get enough of reading books about the man who saved us from the tyranny of the red coats and their unwanted taxation. I even told one of my teachers that I would write a book about George Washington someday (I haven’t started yet).

I lost that vision in my early adulthood, maybe even lost my way in life at that time. I celebrated Independence Day and still had a love for our country, but it wasn’t the same at that time. It was about having fun, not the true reason for the celebration. The true reason was in the back of my mind; however, my best friend and I were more preoccupied with going to the lake for food, drinks and fireworks. I wouldn’t trade those memories, but it I never celebrate the true reason – Independence for our country.

Fifty-six great men signed the Declaration of Independence that declared the United States of America a free country and independent of Great Britain. From July 4, 1776 we have been a free country and one of the greatest to ever be created. During our short history, we have had ups and downs but have found ways persevere and become greater. We have been through wars on our own land and in other countries while helping friends and foes alike. This country was built on the freedom of the people, all people, that shall not be infringed upon from our government. And every July 4 we celebrate that independence and freedom. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

The July 4 celebration is for everyone to come together with the freedom to celebrate how we see fit. The Bill of Rights gave us the right to celebrate, or not celebrate, because we are all free men. We are given rights that no other country has in the world. Many countries have tried to emulate what the United States of America has created, but none have ever come close to what we have here. This is a special place and we must always fight to keep it that way. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

We must protect this land against all enemies foreign and domestic. As Abraham Lincoln said, “this country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right of overthrowing it.” We as free people were given the right by our forefathers and God himself to live and be free. We have the freedom of speech, right to bear arms, freedom of religion, right to property, and much more. These rights were given so we all could be free and live the life that we want to live by keeping our government from taking those rights. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

We the people have had great leaders over the years, and many great battles. Our country is not perfect, and it will never be perfect. Therefore, we must learn from our history and our past mistakes. We went to war with the American Civil War to address one of these mistakes and many men and women died for this mistake. We suffered the great sin of holding people in slavery, but at the time the Constitution was written we may not have had our country if this sin was eliminated. While some believe we haven’t learned from this, I would suggest that those pick up a book by Thomas Sowell or any other person who speaks of American history. Our country has healed from this time, no country before, or after us survived a Civil War. However, to solve our current problems we cannot have another Civil War. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew this when he wrote his pledge of nonviolence:

1.     As you prepare to march meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus

2.     Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation- not victory

3.     Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love

4.     Pray daily to be used by God that all men and women might be free

5.     Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free

6.     Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy

7.     Perform regular service for others and the world

8.     Refrain from violence fist, tongue and heart

9.     Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health

10.  Follow the directions of the movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations

Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

One day, I hope to teach my children the greatness of this country and what it means not only to Americans, but the rest of the world. The freedom that we in the United States have. I have worked with people of all races and creeds and they all have one thing in common, FREEDOM. This freedom was granted to us and shall be kept by us. And when we feel this freedom is being impeded, on we shall rise and fight to keep it. Our children must be taught this as it must be passed from one generation to the next. “Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government… can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or an despotic or oppressive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people,” George Washington. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many, One.

We cannot suppress anyone’s freedom in this country, and no one should ever want to do that. This country was built on freedom of everything. To live life and pursue happiness any way we deem possible, as long as it doesn’t infringe on someone else’s freedoms. We must get along in this country and not force our beliefs and freedoms on others in this world. That does not mean that we will not have the same beliefs as others, but we must get along here in the United States of America. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in,” Theodore Roosevelt. Our country must fulfill many needs in order to survive as a free country. Currently, it seems people are listening to speaking and not hear. We speak to preach our thoughts, but don’t actively listen to others. To survive, we must understand different viewpoints and compromise, not bring consensus, on what can or cannot be tolerated. Consensus, or bipartisan, means that one side sacrificed and the other did not. Compromise means we come to an agreement that I will allow you this and you will allow me that. The goal is compromise, not a consensus. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

With this compromising nature we must seek to make sure our future is sustained so our children have the same freedoms that we have. “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democrat answer, but the right answer. Let us seek not to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future,” John F. Kennedy. We have a future to uphold and teach to our kids; a country that must be protected and celebrated, past, present, and future. We must teach our children future generations what America was built upon, so they can continue to celebrate and teach their children the same love of the country. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

What about the current events and struggles facing our county?  We the people will pull together and preserve. Together, we will find a way that we can all live in this country and live harmoniously. As the Japanese once said, after our day of infamy at Pearl Harbor, we have awoken a sleeping giant. Many people love their country, their freedoms, and their lands; these fundamentals are what The United States of America was built upon. Not to exploit anyone but provide freedoms they were allotted. We will fight for those freedoms and show people that this is the greatest country ever. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

The Constitution of the United States was written by our forefathers and to free We the People. This document is undoubtedly one of the singular greatest documents written by any country. It was simple in its writing with laws that did not hold back freedoms. It was written because these men, as did the bible, believed that all men were created equal and nothing could detract from that. Today there are many arguments as to the meaning of the document when it was written. It was written for the past and has transcended times to help defend this country and our freedoms. Following are the Bill of Rights in the original Constitution:

1.     Freedom of Religion, Speech, Peaceably Assemble and the Press

2.     The Right to Bear Arms and a Well-Regulated Militia

3.     The Housing of Soldiers without the Permission of the Owner

4.     Protection from Unreasonable Searches or Seizures

5.     Protection of Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property

6.     Rights of Accused Persons to a Fair and Speedy Trial in Criminal Cases

7.     Rights in Civil Cases

8.     Excessive Bails, Fines, and Cruel and Unusual Punishments Forbidden

9.     Other Rights Kept by the People (Fundamental Rights Outside the Constitution)

10.  Undelegated Powers Kept by the States and the People (Separation of State and Federal Powers)

Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

Lastly, let’s acknowledge our great flag that we celebrate every year on July 4. The flag stands for freedom to all people, no matter race, creed, or sex. Originally 13 stars and stripes, it is now 50 stars strong with 13 stripes. The 13 stripes represent the original thirteen colonies and the 50 stars each state of our union. All states are great in their own right and offer their people abundant opportunities. Sometimes, people want to leave their home states when they are young to explore the world. But many times, when older, they will discover how great their home state truly is. Full of friends, family, and memories that will never be forgotten. Our forefathers dream was that everyone would live free in these states and we must never forget that, and the stars and stripes will always fly over our great country and the states within it.

I Pledge Allegience To the Flag

Of the United States of America

And to the Republic

For which it stands,

One Nation Under God,

Indivisible, With Liberty,

And Justice for All

Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same,” Ronald Reagan. Together, we must protect this country for our children’s future and for the country’s future. Teach our children about the freedoms that were given to all of us. These freedoms were given to us through our forefathers and God himself. We are to live free while respecting another person’s freedom. It’s our duty teach our children how to respect and uplift others. Instill in our kids’ morals and the difference between right and wrong. Protect our families and the values of what this country was built upon. All people were given freedoms and those freedoms are hard work to keep. Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day.

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:

Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

“But a Constitution of Government once changed from FREEDOM, can never be restored. LIBERTY, once lost, is lost forever,” John Adams. We must not lose this mindset, for us or our children!! Therefore, we celebrate Independence Day!!