OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY

John Adams said we picked the

wrong day to celebrate Independence Day. In his mind, it should have been the second day of July, not the fourth. He argued for a day of celebration on the anniversary the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Instead, the celebration day was marked by the ratification of the document two days later. Ironically Adams and the author of the document, Thomas Jefferson, both died hours apart on the 4th of July in 1826.
Whenever I go to places like Williamsburg, Boston, and Philadelphia and visit the historical sights, it feels like I am standing on sacred ground. I imagine men like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, and Hamilton being in these colonial buildings formulating independence and democracy for future generations. Awestruck by what I see and learn, I appreciate the risk these great men took. If they had failed, they would have been hanged in a very public way to discourage others from sedition from the crown. Unfortunately, it happened to Nathan Hale who was captured by British troops and hanged without benefit of a trial. He is reported to have said before meeting his fate, “I only regret I have but one life to give for my country.”
This is one day we can all come together and be proud of our independence no matter what our political beliefs. I’m not red. I’m not blue. I am red, white, and blue. How about you?  United we stand and divided we fall.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!