The Fourth of July. An important day and one day we should really reflect on our nation. Enjoy your families, your friends, the fireworks and food. But don’t forget what this day means.
If I had to choose one word to sum up this day I would choose sacrifice. Those who sacrificed everything, their money, their positions in society, their lives, to sign that Declaration should be honored in every way possible. This is not a day to just gaze at fireworks. This is a day to reflect on those who sacrificed everything, including their lives so that we may live in a free land.
Just today over a thousand men and women chose to re-enlist in Iraq, willing to sacrifice everything just as our founding fathers did:
How are you spending your 4th of July holiday? While most Americans probably slept, 1,215 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines raised their right hands and committed to a combined 5,500 years of additional service during the largest reenlistment ceremony in the history of the American military. Beneath a large American flag which dwarfed even the enormous chandelier that Saddam Hussein had built for the Al Faw Palace, members of all services, representing all 50 states took the oath administered by Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq.
Petraeus, reiterating earlier remarks made by Command Sergeant Major Hill, said that the unprecedented ceremony sends a “message to friend and foe alike.” He told those assembled that it is “impossible to calculate the value of what you are giving to our country . . . For no bonus, no matter the size, can adequately compensate you for the contribution each of you makes as a custodian of our nation’s defenses.”
~~~Each of the reenlistees knows full well the costs of war, and yet, they chose to stand with their units, their mission, and each other. It was as humbling an experience as I have ever witnessed. On this 4th of July, while you celebrate around grills and coolers all across America, keep in mind the 1,215 who allow us that privilege.
Take a look yourself at the sacrifice made. One of those heroes:
I honor and salute the sacrifice of our Founding Fathers, and those who proudly serve this country today.
Those men and women are but one reason why this country is great. Cassandra at Villainous Company put it best:
I love my country not because she is perfect, but because she wants so badly to be.
~~~America is not a destination but a journey and in loving her, we must not become so firmly fixed upon the goal that we lose heart when we stumble a time or two upon the road. For stumble we will. After all, we are but human; all too imperfect clay with which to form the more perfect union our founding fathers envisioned.
The whole post by Cassandra should be required reading, please check it out.
And with that, I wish you all a Happy 4th of July. While watching those fireworks tonight don’t forget to start that new ritual, recite the preamble of the Constitution.
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BTW, Curt… oh “founding father of Flopping Aces”…. while we are recognizing appreciating, and exercising our rights this Independence Day, do allow me to offer to you a heartfelt “Thank you!” for your Flopping Aces forum. It is truly a cyber manifestation of what our Founding Fathers could have envisioned as an American dream – a place where many voices of Americans (hopefully un hypenated…. :0) all over the nation could assemble, and freely express their thoughts and opinons without fear.
FA is also the perfect example of the (sometimes harsh) verbal repercussions and responsibility of that free expression. Daily we are reminded that free speech, and our First Amendment, was not pondered with import by the Framers for those that agree completely, or mostly – but for those that vehemently disagree.
Plus I cannot deny, I count myself *especially* blessed to have been privileged with the authorship invitation. You have given me, personally, a new reason to celebrate my First Amendment rights this year. I can now express the voice I always knew I had at Sea2Sea, or in my daily life. But the opportunity to share that voice, and also receive invigorating debate and counterpoints from others, has reminded me of the invaluable lesson that with our rights of free speech, come responsibility to use those rights wisely.
Happy 4th, guy. And I’m sure that the regular FA community here – all sides of the aisle – also appreciate the opportunities you have given us all to interact and engage in our verbal battles.
MataHarley
Americans Against Hypenated Americanism for
Anybody-But-ObamaMcCainI’m honored that people from all corners have found this place to be something a little bit special. When I started this blog, writing little screeds (quite poorly I must say, remember, the only writing I knew how to do back then was the cop “just the facts maam” type of stuff) I never really envisioned what it would become. We’re not the biggest in the house, thats for sure. But we do have our own little corner. Finding such great friends and surrounding myself with the likes of Mike, Word, Scott, Rob, Chris, Skye and now you Mata has been the single biggest factor in making this blog a success.
I have to tell you, thats one of the best compliments I’ve had in a long time. I am glad you feel that way and am quite happy to have provided you with the opportunity to share you vast knowledge. I know those of us who read your stuff come away from it quite a bit more knowledgeable then before.
MataHarley has been amazing. Love all the other readers of FA that have become regulars this year. They add to the community here, definitely. I may not offer compliments often, but I lurk and applaud often.
I can’t keep up with all the great comments that go on, and with the addition of “readers posts”, It’s been hard to keep up with all the new posts, but I think it’s been a great success. It certainly keeps this place fresh and alive.
Great post in recognizing those on the frontlines who make our celebration possible. God bless them and their families.
It does get a little hard to keep up with all the reader posts and comments but I suppose that is better than the reverse.
And yes, thank goodness MataH is willing to feed the moonbats so well in the comment’s section. Especially since Wordsmith’s computer connections have been spotty.
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Happy 4th of July EVERYONE 🙂
With the exception of the Code pink Whackos.