The 4th Of July

[PAPPY]

Is the MOST IMPORTANT National Holiday in the United States.

It was not a legal holiday until 1941. It's celebration is a reminder of the ideals of our nation.

John Adams said, " It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance with pomp and parade, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other..." ( and it is) !

Like most of you on this forum, I am a citizen of this country. That is no little honor. Men have fought revolutions and died to be called citizens. And as citizens we carry a burning responsibility. It means that when we elect men to public office we cannot do it as lightly as we flip a coin. It means that after we have elected them we can't sit back and say our job is done, what they do now doesn't concern us. That philosophy of indifference is what the enemies of decent governments want.
If we allow them to have their way to grow strong and vicious, then the heroic struggle that has welded so many towns like ours together means nothing. Then we are not citizens, we're traitors.

The great Liberty by which we live has been bought with blood. The kind of government we get is the kind of government we want.
Government of the people, by the people and for the people can mean any kind of government. It is our duty to make it mean only one kind. UNCORRUPTED ! FREE! UNITED !

Have a WONDERFUL 4th. of July EVERYONE !

GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF OUR TROOPS THROUGHOUT THIS WORLD AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO KEEP THIS COUNTRY FREE !

[Arkwater]

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

[anne]

HAPPY 4TH JULY TO YOU ALL

[I Can Dig It]

Originally Posted by Chuck@TreasureHut

I wonder sometimes just how many "American Citizens" remember their grade school and high school, American History classes? I also wonder sometimes if many "American Citizens" were ever taught American History in school at all?????

As I listen to many adult, left leaning, "American Citizen", talking heads on TV, I wonder where they came from, and what in the world are they doing bashing this wonderful country? I see others like Michael Moore spouting his anti-American venom, and I just have to shake my head. My thoughts are of doing more than head shaking, but I also know that I enjoy my freedom too much to do anything drastic.

I fought in the unpopular VietNam war, and I am proud of my service there. I honor the millions of men who fought before me, and since. I honor the memories of those thousands and thousands who made the ultimate sacrifice so that I could grow up free, learn my US History well, and so that guys like Michael Moore would have the right to dissent as they do.

While I realize they have that right, it still baffles, and hurts me deeply to see such little respect for our flag, and for the wonderful principles, kindness and love that the United States of America stands for.

I get goose bumps when I listen to Lee Greenwood sing "God Bless The USA", and my hair stands on end! A tear grows in my eyes when at a sporting event, the Star Spangled Banner is played. I am proud to echo the sentiment "I'll gladly stand up and defend her to this day"!

Dear Lord, I fervently pray that enough of our young ones are being taught how wonderful this country is , and that they follow in the footsteps of so many before them in patriotism and love for our freedoms.

This Great Nation Was Founded "UNDER GOD" And We Need Him Still Today!

GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!!

Chuck those feelings you get when you are reminded of how great our country is are feelings of a Patriot. Some would say that a man who sheds a tear when listening to the National Anthem is a weak man. I say that only a strong Patriotic man can shed a tear for his country. To hold back that tear would mean that your self image is worth more to you than your country and the freedom it gives you. Like you, I paid some dues for the country...you paid more than your share and you and our country lost something very precious. You lost a son and the country lost another true Patriot. Chuck, I salute you and your son!!! And as I submit this, I have a tear in my eye.
Carl

[exnavyguy]

Being a 15 1/2 year veteran of the greatest Navy in the world, this country and my flag hold very special place in my heart! It gives me chills to see it fly and a tear to see it torn. I can't even listen to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA with tearing up!

We have all seen our share of battle and for that I salute each and ever other veteran on here. I also say a heartfelt thank you to those citizens who provide that much needed support to our troops and our veterans on this glorious day in our nations history. It saddens me to see certain individuals in this country do and say the things they do, but you know, I helped ensure they can do those things and even though I may not agree with it, I have to stand up for their rights to do so. Hopefully one day they can all move off to another country where that right to share their opinion is not as welcomed as it is here. Then maybe they will change their tunes.
I send out a salute to my veterans and current armed forces members for ensuring that we made it to our 231st Birthday and to ensuring we see another 231. Congratulations and Happy Birthday to all Americans here and over there!



Just makes me want to go out and find some of those old colonial coins and musketballs!

[I Can Dig It]

Originally Posted by exnavyguy

Being a 15 1/2 year veteran of the greatest Navy in the world, this country and my flag hold very special place in my heart! It gives me chills to see it fly and a tear to see it torn. I can't even listen to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA with tearing up!

We have all seen our share of battle and for that I salute each and ever other veteran on here. I also say a heartfelt thank you to those citizens who provide that much needed support to our troops and our veterans on this glorious day in our nations history. It saddens me to see certain individuals in this country do and say the things they do, but you know, I helped ensure they can do those things and even though I may not agree with it, I have to stand up for their rights to do so. Hopefully one day they can all move off to another country where that right to share their opinion is not as welcomed as it is here. Then maybe they will change their tunes.
I send out a salute to my veterans and current armed forces members for ensuring that we made it to our 231st Birthday and to ensuring we see another 231. Congratulations and Happy Birthday to all Americans here and over there!



Just makes me want to go out and find some of those old colonial coins and musketballs!

Well said!! and thank you for your service!!
Carl

[LiveBlues]

Happy 4th to all!

Thanks to all who have served and are serving our great country.

I too had the privilege of serving. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tech, 1981 - 1987. While all of my time was during peace time, I was still always prepared and willing to do what was necessary. I do not regret a minute of it.

[bigbillinsc]

From OUR Declaration of Independance

We hold these truths to be self evident, that ALL men are created EQUAL. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

That to Secure THESE RIGHTS, Governmenst are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such principles, and organising its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and happiness....



Happy Birthday America

GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY READER AND MEMBER OF THIS FORUM

AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA

[I Can Dig It]

Originally Posted by LiveBlues

Happy 4th to all!

Thanks to all who have served and are serving our great country.

I too had the privilege of serving. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tech, 1981 - 1987. While all of my time was during peace time, I was still always prepared and willing to do what was necessary. I do not regret a minute of it.

Happy 4th LB and thank you as well for your service. Hey I used to drive you guys nuts on Okinawa back in the 70's that is an 81mm Mortar round I am holding from WWII, notice the propellant coming out of the tail...I wasn't very bright back then
Carl

[Kentfb]

Happy 4th everyone. I wish everyone a patriotic safe day.