American Independence: Our 4th of July

America is in fact a wonderful country. People reading my blog cannot ever deny this.

And I would suggest that perhaps it's time to reflect not only on our independence but on the means and manner in which we currently keep our independence:

The American Soldier.

These few sentences bear repeating:

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. -- Charles M. Province

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty. -- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. -- Dwight David Eisenhower

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. -- Ronald W. Reagan

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. -- Douglas MacArthur

The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker. -- Albert Einstein

In Flanders fields the poppies grow; Between the crosses, row on row; That mark our place, and in the sky; The larks, still bravely singing, fly; Scarce heard amid the guns below. -- John McCrae

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you're reading this in English, thank a soldier. -- American Axiom

May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't. -- General George S. Patton, Jr.

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May you all have a safe, happy and healthy 4th of July.

God bless America -- because other than its occupants, no one else will.

BZ