Freedon Is Never Free

Forget the barbecues and fireworks. The Fourth of July is America's holy day. It was on 4 July 1776 in Philadelphia when the Second Continental Congress ratified Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Seven years later America's independence was essentially realized with General George Washington's historic victory over the British army at Yorktown, Virginia. Tyranny had been defeated.

Many Americans gave their lives in the great war for Independence. To keep us free so "that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among theses are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," many more Americans gave the supreme sacrifice during the Civil War, the two World Wars, and the wars continuing to this very day. In other words, liberty does not grow on trees. It must be preserved from time to time in war, with the bravery and sacrifice of many soldiers, sailors, and airmen who loved this country and valued are way of life, which is unlike any other on the face of God's earth.

This is why our history is so important. It must be taught to our kids and reinforced by our elected officials. Yes, it's fun for family get-togethers, barbecues and fireworks on the Fourth. But in order for us to truly enjoy our liberty, we must never forget that freedom is never free, and that it was because millions of Americans fought with extreme heroism and sacrifice. Today, perhaps more than ever, "with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." If we do not "hold these Truths to be self-evident," our freedoms may be in jeopardy of losing. We owe it to future generations of Americans that this will never happen.

God bless America!

[Note: Quotations taken directly from the text of the Declaration of Independence.]

GOD AND COUNTRY

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, it brings to mind how much our Founders relied so heavily on the laws of God to form our government. They knew that a just government without leaning on the righteous foundation of God's laws, which are so vividly prescribed in The Holy Scriptures, could never survive. John Adams, our second president, in an October 1798 letter to the Massachusetts Militia, stated so eloquently, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Along with Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and many of the others of these wise men relied on their faith in the Almighty to see them through the dark times of the Revolution against Great Britain and the uncertainty that befell them following its victory. The famous portrait of Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge demonstrates to me all I need to know about faith and its importance in the shaping of our great republic.

Today, I believe, we need faith and trust in God more than ever in order to defeat the complex problems that continually battle our resolve. If we are not victorious, it is because we forgot "that we're One Nation Under God," said President Ronald Reagan in August 1984. "Then we will be a nation gone under." Prayer, perpetuated by our faith in God, is not only the answer, but required for the health and well-being of America's present and future. His will be done.

Happy Easter!

Note: Quotations courtesy of The American Patriot's Bible, Dr. Richard G. Lee, General Editor.

PRESIDENTS' DAY

Last week the country celebrated Presidents’ Day. A national holiday, the day is set aside to recognize and honor the forty-four presidents who have served our country. Generally speaking, the day passes almost unnoticed. Sadly, it is perhaps relished more as a day for eager shoppers and retailers, not to mention a day off for most workers and students.

Before President’s Day was officially inaugurated, we celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (12 February) and that of George Washington (22 February), arguably the two greatest presidents in American history. Why are they considered the greatest of the forty-four? Well, as we know, it was General Washington who led the Continental Army to victory over the British in the American Revolution and later became our first president and known since as the “Father of our country.” Lincoln of course reunited a blood-stained America following the tragedy of the Civil War.

Washington is my favorite president. General Henry Lee, who served with Washington during the revolution, summed it up beautifully when, following Washington’s death, he so eloquently said that Washington was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Washington was the quintessential soldier’s soldier. I think that says it all about the man.

America has fought many great wars since Washington’s victory at Yorktown in 1781. Today we still have brave men and women overseas serving and protecting our nation, following in the proud tradition of our military. I have witnessed firsthand what war can do to our military heroes. As far as I’m concerned, everyone who serves our great republic in battle is worthy of nothing less than our thanks and praise. Thus, when I think of Washington on Presidents’ Day, I think of those men and women overseas who sacrifice so much for us here at home. If Washington were alive today, I know our courageous warriors today would follow him into battle as did that brave Continental Army during the revolution.

All the best to our military and veterans!

Honoring Our Veterans

On 9 February 2011, my good friend, art director and public relations consultant Deb Deysher and I had the privilege of visiting the VA Medical Center in Coatesville, PA. We were there to hand out autographed copies of my three published novels to honor our hospitalized veterans. The day was part of a week-long tribute which the Veterans Administration called "The National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans."

We had been planning the launch of this program, which we call "Books for Our Heroes," for almost a year. Thanks to the support of the Voluntary Services Director Earl Johnson and his team at Coatesville, the experience was as joyful and thrilling as it was humbling. While I enjoyed the chance to write a personal message for each veteran,  my greatest thrill was to look into the eyes of these wounded warriors, shake their hands and thank them for their bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty. In fact, there were times when I almost broke down in tears.

As the proud son of a career sailor, I can appreciate the valor and sacrifice of these wonderful people. Incredibly, I was humbled by the fact that every one of these vets were appreciative of our gesture of giving them a good book to read. I now wonder if I would have been so gracious knowing that I would have to live out the rest of my life with perhaps a missing arm or leg, or knowing I would need almost constant medical treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The moral of this story is simple. Honor our veterans, not just on military holidays such as Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but everyday by donating your time, talent and resources. We owe them a lot, much more than we realize. They are the ones who keep America strong and guarantee the freedoms we enjoy today and for generations to come.

God bless each and every one of them!