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The United States is the greatest country the world has ever seen. We are a nation founded by the brave, who risked traveling thousands of miles on an open ocean to reach this incredible land. We are a nation created by brave soldiers who fought and defeated the greatest army on earth to give us a country, and then beat that army - not long following its victory over Napoleon - a second time.
A nation that has spread more freedom and equality than any other nation ever founded - a fact that is not going to change at this point. China still has profoundly racist policies, political prisoners by the tens of thousands, slave labor, human slaughter to harvest organs.
Our nation is the only country ever founded that elected a leader who was a member of a racial minority, a country that has fought and died and killed to advance and preserve freedom and equality. Our civil rights laws date back to 1866 - at a time when at least 12 other nations still practiced legal slavery.
Every year around this time, I recall that on July 3, 1863, when our nation was a mere 87 years old (Lincoln said it better), Meade and the Army of the Potomac beat Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in beautiful Pennsylvania farmland known as Gettysburg. The next day, Grant's Western Army captured Vicksburg, which meant the North now controlled the Mississippi. Lee's army was cut off from supplies abroad that previously could be delivered via the Mississippi.
Lincoln received telegrams late on July 3, 1863 from Meade, advising that the Army of the Potomac had beaten Lee's army soundly and had inflicted heavy casualties. The next day, July 4, 1863, Lincoln received a telegraph from Grant, advising of the capture of Vicksburg and the Union control of the Mississippi. Lincoln reportedly broke down, the aching and devastating losses to both sides haunting him but with the realization, finally, for the first time after more than two brutal, bloody years of war, it seemed our Union would survive.
I think about Lincoln every 4th of July and remember how much we, Americans, have sacrificed to be where we are and how many have given their lives, their brothers, and husbands, and fathers, to preserve our great nation. Lincoln stated the events better than any other at the time or since:
Finally, to the great mobs who hope to destroy our history, belittle our founders, demean those who gave everything they had for this country, I am reminded of the simpletons who dismissed Lincoln's Gettysburg address when he honored the brave soldiers - on both sides - who fought and died there. How worthless, empty, devoid of any meaningful thought, are the protesters, the know-it-alls, the critics? The Patriot & Union Newspaper, November 24, 1863: "We pass over the silly remarks of the President. For the credit of the nation we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall be no more repeated or thought of."
That empty. That silly. That embarrassing. Know-it-alls, too stupid to realize they know absolutely nothing. NOTHING.
So I will celebrate the 4th of July as I always do, with my wife, enjoying some time outdoors, having a few hot dogs, imbibing with some beverages.
And doing my best to honor my nation, our heroes, our founders and God's great blessing of allowing me to be an American.
A nation that has spread more freedom and equality than any other nation ever founded - a fact that is not going to change at this point. China still has profoundly racist policies, political prisoners by the tens of thousands, slave labor, human slaughter to harvest organs.
Our nation is the only country ever founded that elected a leader who was a member of a racial minority, a country that has fought and died and killed to advance and preserve freedom and equality. Our civil rights laws date back to 1866 - at a time when at least 12 other nations still practiced legal slavery.
Every year around this time, I recall that on July 3, 1863, when our nation was a mere 87 years old (Lincoln said it better), Meade and the Army of the Potomac beat Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in beautiful Pennsylvania farmland known as Gettysburg. The next day, Grant's Western Army captured Vicksburg, which meant the North now controlled the Mississippi. Lee's army was cut off from supplies abroad that previously could be delivered via the Mississippi.
Lincoln received telegrams late on July 3, 1863 from Meade, advising that the Army of the Potomac had beaten Lee's army soundly and had inflicted heavy casualties. The next day, July 4, 1863, Lincoln received a telegraph from Grant, advising of the capture of Vicksburg and the Union control of the Mississippi. Lincoln reportedly broke down, the aching and devastating losses to both sides haunting him but with the realization, finally, for the first time after more than two brutal, bloody years of war, it seemed our Union would survive.
I think about Lincoln every 4th of July and remember how much we, Americans, have sacrificed to be where we are and how many have given their lives, their brothers, and husbands, and fathers, to preserve our great nation. Lincoln stated the events better than any other at the time or since:
Finally, to the great mobs who hope to destroy our history, belittle our founders, demean those who gave everything they had for this country, I am reminded of the simpletons who dismissed Lincoln's Gettysburg address when he honored the brave soldiers - on both sides - who fought and died there. How worthless, empty, devoid of any meaningful thought, are the protesters, the know-it-alls, the critics? The Patriot & Union Newspaper, November 24, 1863: "We pass over the silly remarks of the President. For the credit of the nation we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall be no more repeated or thought of."
That empty. That silly. That embarrassing. Know-it-alls, too stupid to realize they know absolutely nothing. NOTHING.
So I will celebrate the 4th of July as I always do, with my wife, enjoying some time outdoors, having a few hot dogs, imbibing with some beverages.
And doing my best to honor my nation, our heroes, our founders and God's great blessing of allowing me to be an American.
