GOD BLESS AMERICA! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

While the Fourth of July is quintessentially known as a time for eating hotdogs and watching fireworks, today I call to mind the true meaning of the holiday and remind everyone of its fundamental importance to our Nation. It was 237 years ago today that 56 intrepid souls signed their names to the Declaration of Independence. In doing so, these men not only risked everything that they held dear in their lives for what they believed to be true and right by committing treason against the British Crown, but they inexorably changed the world forever. Our Nation is the benchmark by which freedom is measured across the World because of what these brave men sacrificed and created over 200 years ago.

I encourage everyone to celebrate today, but never forget. Never forget where we came from, and never lose track of where we’re going because what we and those of us before us have built is too important to lose. I offer the following message, originally given by Charles Province, as a reminder to hold our freedoms sacrosanct no matter the cost. Ours is a truly unique and wonderful society that has never seen its equal, and I dare say never will.

It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.