Yesterday's post I honored those that served, fought and died for this great nation. Today, I would like to ponder and remember those brave men that founded this nation. Today we have so many voices bitching about how bad America is, never considering the positive things this nation does, or how fortunate they are to even be in this country. This country is a miracle of God and I for one am very thankful to be here than anywhere else. I always ask those naysayers why they just don't leave. Of course I never get an answer and you all know why. So let's remember those brave men who gave everything.
American Minute with Bill Federer
July 4
The Declaration of Independence was approved JULY 4, 1776.
John Hancock signed first, saying "the price on my head has just doubled."
Benjamin Franklin said "We must hang together or most assuredly we shall hang separately."
Of the 56 signers: 17 lost their fortunes, 12 had their homes destroyed, 5 became prisoners of war, 1 had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship Jersey, 1 had a son killed in battle, 1 had his wife die from harsh prison treatment and 9 signers died during the War.
When Samuel Adams signed the Declaration, he said: "We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."
John Adams said: "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."
John Adams continued: "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration...Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory...Posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not."
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
THE UNBROKEN AMERICAN SPIRIT
I wrote and published this (and a Thanksgiving version) after 9/11. This blog also seems to be a good home for it as we remember our past and present military hero's, all famous for their sacifices rendered in defense of this nation and at times, a nation that can be grateful and ungrateful. Let us Thank God this 4th of July for our service personnel - all hero's in my eyes.
As I was told of the story Valley Forge and Bunker Hill,
a relative endured the savage cold of winter, and the hot,
violent air of battle to give birth to a new nation.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the story of Shiloh and the thousands
of American men that died there that day. A relative
learned the meaning of ultimate sacrifice for the unity
of a nation. His grave honors that battlefield.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the horrors of mustard gas and poison.
A relative experienced the gas in the fields of France
and lived the rest of his life in the Southwest due to
the damage done to his lungs. Never to return to his
Great Lakes home.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the battles in the jungles of the Pacific,
a relative went to meet the enemy in the jungle to defend
the daughter that would someday become my mother.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the desperate conditions of the Pusan
Perimeter, a relative slung his rifle over his shoulder
and went out to drive the horde back to save the freedom
and culture of a people that were not his own.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the violent air battles over Vietnam, I
saw the names of classmates and roommates that perished
defending freedom in a time when it was unpopular. I stood
there and silently watched my Father as he touched those
names on that wall in Washington.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I heard about a command plane that took a near hit over
the skies of Bosnia with damage that forced it to land in
a hostile environment. I knew my younger sister had learned
what service to country can really mean.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I tell my child and other younger people some day about
the events of September 11, 2001. I will tell them about
the heroism of the police and firefighters that paid the
ultimate price to defend and rescue their fellow citizens,
and the ordinary people that rose up and came together to
become again, "One Nation Under God".
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the story Valley Forge and Bunker Hill,
a relative endured the savage cold of winter, and the hot,
violent air of battle to give birth to a new nation.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the story of Shiloh and the thousands
of American men that died there that day. A relative
learned the meaning of ultimate sacrifice for the unity
of a nation. His grave honors that battlefield.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the horrors of mustard gas and poison.
A relative experienced the gas in the fields of France
and lived the rest of his life in the Southwest due to
the damage done to his lungs. Never to return to his
Great Lakes home.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the battles in the jungles of the Pacific,
a relative went to meet the enemy in the jungle to defend
the daughter that would someday become my mother.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the desperate conditions of the Pusan
Perimeter, a relative slung his rifle over his shoulder
and went out to drive the horde back to save the freedom
and culture of a people that were not his own.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I was told of the violent air battles over Vietnam, I
saw the names of classmates and roommates that perished
defending freedom in a time when it was unpopular. I stood
there and silently watched my Father as he touched those
names on that wall in Washington.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I heard about a command plane that took a near hit over
the skies of Bosnia with damage that forced it to land in
a hostile environment. I knew my younger sister had learned
what service to country can really mean.
The Unbroken American Spirit.
As I tell my child and other younger people some day about
the events of September 11, 2001. I will tell them about
the heroism of the police and firefighters that paid the
ultimate price to defend and rescue their fellow citizens,
and the ordinary people that rose up and came together to
become again, "One Nation Under God".
The Unbroken American Spirit.
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