This July 4th

     It seems that as time goes on, the original meaning behind a national holiday gets burred or even lost.  Easter's celebration of Christ is being blotted out by the pastel paint of Easter eggs, the spirit of Thanksgiving drowned in turkey gravy and pumpkin pie, and Memorial Day is now an excuse to not have work instead of a day of remembrance of those who have served in the armed forces.  I find that the Fourth of July is no exception to this rule.  
     Independence Day is more than fireworks and picnics in the park.  The name itself, "Independence Day", carries so much weight to it.  When our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, they set the foundation for our nation.  The act they performed was treason and they each knowingly signed and carried out their actions.  Not only was this a great sacrifice, because surely it was, it was also a promise.  A promise that once they created a nation, they promised to love and serve that nation, under God and with the help of God.  Those brave men knew exactly what they were getting themselves into when they signed that document.
     That being said, the promise made is a promise still kept.  Countless men and women have understood this and kept this promise.  Some even gave their lives keeping it.
     So my proposition is to remember this.  Remember what was sacrificed in this country in order for us to celebrate the Fourth of July.  By all means, run out of your house, flag held high, yelling, 'Murica!", because that is something you should be proud of.  Heaven knows that the United States of America is not a perfect nation, but it was created with perfect intentions.  Our greatest gift that could ever be given to us is our freedom.  Celebrate that and be grateful to understand what it took to get that freedom.

WWII American Cemetery in Luxembourg