God Bless the USA
Cats: Patriotism|Independence Day 2009
In spite of everything that is currently happening in our country, the economy, losses of loved ones, homes and jobs, we still need to pause and reflect on what we DO have in our lives! As we celebrate the Fourth of July this week, let’s do so with a patriotic spirit of gratitude and faithfulness, and celebrate a land where we can still embrace our freedoms and liberties.
The United States–as a country and as a people–have joined together through countless tragedies, depressions and battles, and bounced back each time. We shall again, and it will take our "united-ness" to do it.
We are more than a geographic location on the globe.
We are a people of sheer determination.
We are a people of amazing inner drive.
We are a people of creativity and vision.
We are a people of boundless persistence.
We are a people of great faith.
And THAT is ALL worth celebrating this Independence Day!
"God Bless the USA"
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I’d thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can’t take that away.
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 gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land
God Bless the USA.
-Lyrics by Lee Greenwood
Sheryl Roush
Proud American
Speaker and 12-time Author
Co-Author of the forthcoming book, Heart of a Military Woman, releasing Veteran’s Day, Nov. 2009
www.SparklePresentations.com
June 29th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Sam Paano made this comment on Facebook reagrding”God Bless the USA”:
I’ve often rebelled against any history and social studies classes when I was in high school. I thought, with all the studies that we’ve done, we still haven’t learned from history – there are still wars, there are still prejudism, and there is still hunger in the world.
Now, I view history differently. We all need to reflect on our past in order to realize the changes that we have been through as individuals and as a nation. This is what motivates us to continue finding better solutions for our nation and the world. Thank you, Sheryl for reminding us of this.
Additionally, thank you to Mr. Kenneth Koons, my social studies teacher in high school (and Facebook friend), who was instrumental in showing me the value of history.
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Kristi Stone:
Have fun celebrating this joyous Independence weekend! Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence died or fortunes where ruined to start this experiment called Freedom. Freedom from the tyranny of royalty mentality (current day politicians and democracy mob rule), that somehow they know how I should live my life better than I do (excessive spending, regulations and taxation). They would be sad to see that we have lost much of what they died for. Americans don’t care about FREEDOM any more. And that makes me very sad.
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Congress approves the Declaration of Independence, brilliant scene from John Adams mini-series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
JOHN ADAMS: A CLOSER LOOK
Executive Producer: Tom Hanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeHepBjAyS0
American founding father John Adams and his portrayal in the HBO Films’ Miniseries Event ‘John Adams.
http://www.HBO.com
July 4th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor..
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
-AUTHOR UNKNOWN
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.
Remember: Freedom is never free!
Patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.