Editor,
This is a very important week in the United States.
It’s an extremely busy week for travel, it’s hotter than hell’s kitchen, there’s 5,741 baseball tournaments and Joey Chestnut’s going to set a new hot dog eating record. It’s a bad week to be a hamburger, a cold beer or an improvised yet colorful explosive but it is a Great week to be an American.
The second most celebrated holiday on earth is Independence from Great Britain. There are 225 countries, 163 celebrate Independence in some form, 65 of those from Great Britain with 48 observing a national holiday. That means a potential 1.8 Billion people or about 25% of humanity at some point in the year celebrate their freedom from the British monarchy.
The largest by far is August 15 in India, but 340 million Americans will celebrate it this Friday.
Of course there are many in this nation who will not celebrate it. They disrespect and despise the American flag. They spew hate and obscenity on hallowed institutions and cherished principles. They believe the United States is a failure, a mistake, a plague.
But there are many, so many, whose hearts beat a little harder, whose head is a little higher, whose shoulders feel a little broader on the 4th of July. They know that it is more than just a day in the pool, it commemorates the birth of the greatest country and the greatest system of government this world has ever known.
There are over 15 million men and women in this country who stood in the gap, helped make that greatness possible and pledged to defend it against enemies foreign and domestic.
Without Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day there is no Independence Day.
Yes by all means, eat the hotdogs, chill the popsicles, float in some water, throw the ball and shoot the fireworks. Enjoy the day and make it a special time with family and friends. Take a moment though to reflect on the meaning and significance of the day. It’s the day we celebrate that our ancestors made the decision to kneel only to God and stand against all others.
What they forged in flint and steel and tempered in blood and sweat rings true today and proclaims hope and freedom to the world.
This is our week. Feel that pride as an American and cherish it as second only to your faith.
Happy Independence Day. God Bless You and God Bless America.
Alex Floyd, District 1 Commissioner Pembroke, Georgia
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