alik_05
07-04-2006, 11:26 AM
All over the nation, on this one day, we keep true to the wishes of our forefathers and celebrate something dear to us; freedom.
Americans nationwide will crank up grills, pull out the Coke, perhaps dump a forty for homies in Iraq, and shoot big firecrackers; yeah, it’s Independence Day in the USA. As we’ve been taught to do since birth, we will go through our ritual of celebrating our free lives. Gas stations will celebrate by gouging prices to over $3.00 per gallon, but it's ok, as stores will celebrate our sacred independence by selling us things we don't need for 75% off.
When we are out celebrating today though, will we really take time to think of the sacrifices that have granted us our lifestyle?
Many may feel this day represents the yearly anniversary of our nations formal Declaration of Independence from Britain. Symbolically, however, it is much more with this. On the eve of our independence, a feeling and a dream coalesced within the minds of our forefathers. This dream, through countless generations, has persevered and has continually permeated the core of our society and even spread to other nations. It has inspired soldiers on the battlefield and encouraged women and racial minorities to stand up for their rights.
It has given us the strength to overcome what may seem the worst of obstacles.
What is this powerful dream, this idea that has shaped an entire society?
Freedom.
Considering the power, sacrifice, and inspiration represented by this simple word, freedom must mean so much more to every American. Through all strife we have endured, we’ve been able to weather it. Our forefathers, no more than simple farmers, were willing to take arms against the most powerful of nations; not because they had any advantage, but because they wanted to be free.
These brave men couldn't tolerate the idea being oppressed and exploited by a foreign crown. They risked their lives -their families- in order to defend a simple idea. A nation of people should be born; a nation where all people should would be able to freely pursue life, liberty, and happiness. To this end, they fought, and gave birth to a powerful movement.
Even when put up against the most seemingly insurmountable odds, this movement of freedom has inspired humanity to dig deep within themselves to protect it.
Young men, no older than most reading this site or this author, raced to Europe during the 1940's to take arms with other men and women who refused to have their freedom terminated. Through much bloodshed and sacrifice, the “Greatest Generation” pulled together, as a world, to rid Earth of perhaps it’s most horrid and freedom hating dictator.
In the wake of nearly an entire continent in rubble, and millions of lives lost, freedom stood -undeterred- as the unifying factor among humanities triumph over oppression.
As time has passed it seems that perhaps our society, from powerful politicians to kids on the street, are losing touch with the great sacrifices that must be made to ensure freedom for humanity.
Today it is obvious that some -perhaps even this nation’s leaders- are taking our nations chief defenders, our soldiers, lives for granted.
As in every generation, we need men and women that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life. They don’t always agree with the cause, hell, you know not everyone wants to spend their last days in Iraq. But they do it; Why?
These men and women love freedom so much, and what it represents, that they are willing to protect us. They obediently follow their pledge of service to this nation and what it was founded on, freedom, for the benefit of all humanity. So when we crank our grills, drink our Coke and forties, and shoot big firecrackers, we are indeed partaking in freedom; we are enjoying life.
What we must remember, and never forget, is that this way of life does indeed come at a cost. As in times past, it requires men and women willing to go out and sacrifice. Not necessarily because they agree with the politicians in charge, or want to die, but simply because they believe in what was once only a dream -freedom- above all else.
This 4th of July, let us all take a moment to reflect and say thanks to all Americans who have sacrificed to keep the hope and dream of freedom a reality for each one of us.
Happy 4th of July, America.
Americans nationwide will crank up grills, pull out the Coke, perhaps dump a forty for homies in Iraq, and shoot big firecrackers; yeah, it’s Independence Day in the USA. As we’ve been taught to do since birth, we will go through our ritual of celebrating our free lives. Gas stations will celebrate by gouging prices to over $3.00 per gallon, but it's ok, as stores will celebrate our sacred independence by selling us things we don't need for 75% off.
When we are out celebrating today though, will we really take time to think of the sacrifices that have granted us our lifestyle?
Many may feel this day represents the yearly anniversary of our nations formal Declaration of Independence from Britain. Symbolically, however, it is much more with this. On the eve of our independence, a feeling and a dream coalesced within the minds of our forefathers. This dream, through countless generations, has persevered and has continually permeated the core of our society and even spread to other nations. It has inspired soldiers on the battlefield and encouraged women and racial minorities to stand up for their rights.
It has given us the strength to overcome what may seem the worst of obstacles.
What is this powerful dream, this idea that has shaped an entire society?
Freedom.
Considering the power, sacrifice, and inspiration represented by this simple word, freedom must mean so much more to every American. Through all strife we have endured, we’ve been able to weather it. Our forefathers, no more than simple farmers, were willing to take arms against the most powerful of nations; not because they had any advantage, but because they wanted to be free.
These brave men couldn't tolerate the idea being oppressed and exploited by a foreign crown. They risked their lives -their families- in order to defend a simple idea. A nation of people should be born; a nation where all people should would be able to freely pursue life, liberty, and happiness. To this end, they fought, and gave birth to a powerful movement.
Even when put up against the most seemingly insurmountable odds, this movement of freedom has inspired humanity to dig deep within themselves to protect it.
Young men, no older than most reading this site or this author, raced to Europe during the 1940's to take arms with other men and women who refused to have their freedom terminated. Through much bloodshed and sacrifice, the “Greatest Generation” pulled together, as a world, to rid Earth of perhaps it’s most horrid and freedom hating dictator.
In the wake of nearly an entire continent in rubble, and millions of lives lost, freedom stood -undeterred- as the unifying factor among humanities triumph over oppression.
As time has passed it seems that perhaps our society, from powerful politicians to kids on the street, are losing touch with the great sacrifices that must be made to ensure freedom for humanity.
Today it is obvious that some -perhaps even this nation’s leaders- are taking our nations chief defenders, our soldiers, lives for granted.
As in every generation, we need men and women that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life. They don’t always agree with the cause, hell, you know not everyone wants to spend their last days in Iraq. But they do it; Why?
These men and women love freedom so much, and what it represents, that they are willing to protect us. They obediently follow their pledge of service to this nation and what it was founded on, freedom, for the benefit of all humanity. So when we crank our grills, drink our Coke and forties, and shoot big firecrackers, we are indeed partaking in freedom; we are enjoying life.
What we must remember, and never forget, is that this way of life does indeed come at a cost. As in times past, it requires men and women willing to go out and sacrifice. Not necessarily because they agree with the politicians in charge, or want to die, but simply because they believe in what was once only a dream -freedom- above all else.
This 4th of July, let us all take a moment to reflect and say thanks to all Americans who have sacrificed to keep the hope and dream of freedom a reality for each one of us.
Happy 4th of July, America.