CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY!


It has been 243 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence - a relatively short  time when compared to many European and Asian nations.  They might consider us mere adolescents, but we have come a long way in those 243 years.

In those early years the odds makers were split on whether America would long survive.  We had more things going against us than for us.  We were now thirteen states hugging the eastern coast of a vast yet untamed interior.  

We were still working out the details of whom and what were wanted to achieve and how we were going to accomplish all that being America meant.  The rest of Europe was just as concerned with our progress as we were; and waited anxiously as America moved forward to take its place on the world stage.

We have learned much, suffered much, endured much and hopefully matured much in 243 years.  The ideals and principles at the heart of what it means to be America still influence other peoples.  

It may be difficult for us to fully appreciate the struggles endured by our fore fathers in founding America.  For a cadre of men to give life and breathe to an idea called independence and then bring together in one place and time all the resources of a nation to insure the idea became a reality.

On this the 243rd anniversary of Independence Day, let us pause and take stock of the all that it means to be an American.  Of the bountiful nation we call home and of the principles we safeguard and espouse to be true.

Happy Birthday America!