On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to
approve a resolution of independence from England that had been proposed in
June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.
The resolution declared the colonies free from the rule of Great
Britain. Following the vote the Congress
focused on a document prepared by a committee of five members but mostly
authored by Thomas Jefferson. They
debated and revised some wording of the document and finally approved it as the
Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
John Adams had written to his wife, Abigail, on July 3rd,
telling her of the vote on July 2nd, without realizing it would be a
different day that turned out to be celebrated.
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the
most memorable epoch in the history of America. 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. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with
shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of
this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
Little did he know that even though he had the date wrong,
the other things he had said would turn out to be true, even 236 years
later. Independence Day is one of the
largest and most celebrated American holidays with parades and fireworks in
many places. As it should be.
But I wonder how many people sit back on July 4th
and truly contemplate what it means?
Independence from England was not free.
It cost thousands of lives in the Continental Army and the militias that
had sprung up all over the land; volunteers one and all. They fought for a dream – a homeland where
they were truly free from government interference in their lives.
I believe the first time I realized exactly what
Independence Day meant to me was when I was in the Air Force. I wore the uniform for eight years and
during those years I realized just what a great country we are. I suppose I always knew but I think I took it
for granted until I was a part of the group who volunteered to defend her.
I was in basic training on July 4, 1977. There were no backyard barbecues or fireworks
for us. What we did was celebrate with a
parade of all the young airmen in front of the base general and base
commander. I remember how proud I was to
be a part of it. Another great memory I
have is my first retreat ceremony – standing with about 1000 other young men
and women listening to “Taps” and saluting as the flag was lowered and
folded. I have never forgotten that
feeling of honor – and I never will.
My family has been traced back to the famous Clark family of
Albemarle, Virginia, who gave birth to General George Rogers Clark and William
Clark, two important explorers who helped settle this great nation. Although they did not sign the Declaration of
Independence or the Constitution, they knew many of the men who did. Both George and William reported directly to
Thomas Jefferson on several occasions and also knew Mr. Washington. George was instrumental in furthering the
cause of freedom on the Western front of the war. With a small brigade of volunteers he took
the towns of Kaskaskia, Vincennes, and Fort Detroit from the British, capturing
Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton. Clark
was often credited as the “Conqueror of the old Northwest.” And William, of course, was the first Clark
in recorded history to cross the United States all the way to the Pacific. I have done it twice in my life.
We, as a nation, have fought several wars since those early
days. We have gone to the aid of other
countries who were struggling for their freedom and have been a friend and ally
to many peoples around the world. Our
flag stands for freedom – a freedom after which many other countries model themselves. And I’m very proud to be a part
of it.
I spent a total of 30 years serving my country in the
military and in federal service. Even
though I have disagreements with the government now and then, I would do it
again in a minute. I didn’t serve for
glory or fame. In all honesty, when I
joined the Air Force it was to get away from home and get a good job and when I
took the job at the Lompoc penitentiary it was to feed my family. But both jobs surprised me in the way they
effected my thinking about the USA. If
anything the work made me even more proud of my country than ever.
Yes, I am a proud American and tomorrow I will celebrate her
independence with friends and family.
Regardless of what some people think, America truly is the greatest
nation on Earth. We have our problems,
sure. But you don’t see millions of
people a year trying to get into other countries any way they can as they try
to get here. They know what I’ve known
for a long time. God has truly blessed
the USA and her people. In the words of
Lee Greenwood:
“I’m proud to be an American – where at least I know I’m
free.
And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to
me.
And I’ll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still
today.
For there ain’t no doubt I love this land….
God bless the USA.”
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