The Fourth of July has always been a celebration to mark our nation’s independence with the dazzling color of fireworks lighting up the night sky, the sound of marching in parades and the joyful laughter of loving friends and family gathered together.
It brings back cherished memories and experiences from my childhood in the 1950’s, growing up in a small town in the post-WWII era. These were summer days when we would leave the house early in the morning and get together with our friends to play Hopscotch, Red Rover, Dodge Ball and Tag. Sometimes we would have a slip-and-slide. In the afternoon we were called home for an early supper of hot dogs and chips at one of our houses and then back outside for more fun and games before the fireflies appeared. This was our family, our community and our friends who shared these experiences together.
The Fourth of July celebrations provided a comforting and inspiring experience, fostering strength, hope and resilience among my loved ones. The connection formed with friends and family during these occasions is one that remains accessible in our memories, consistently evoking a sense of satisfaction and warmth.
The Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, gives us freedom to celebrate not only on special days, but all year round. America was created on Judeo-Christian values. Embracing these values of love, compassion and accountability cultivates a strong moral character. God teaches us in his word, Leviticus 19:18, “that we are to love thy neighbor as thyself.’
Today we see frightening signs that suggest a decline in patriotism. The foundational knowledge of American history among our children, which is essential for understanding the true meaning of American patriotism, appears to have been supplanted by hatred and animosity towards others.
As America has progressed, we see in the 1970’s “hippies” dishonoring our flag, shouting anti-war obscenities, burning and flying our flag upside down, in opposition of the Vietnam War. In 1984 at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, our flag was doused with kerosene and set on fire. While the flag was burning protesters shouted, “America the red, white, and blue, we spit on you.” Today we see rioters and looters in our cities burning our flag and flying another country’s flag.
It is imperative that we renew our dedication to the principles and aspirations upon which our nation was established. America was never meant to be a government in which a religious body holds unlimited power, but its freedoms were based on Christian framework and applied to its citizens. These principles have served our nation well, honored moral law, and set the conditions for our nation to flourish for centuries.
Sometimes, reflecting on the past can provide valuable insights into the issues we face in the present. The words from Psalm 33:12 remain relevant today: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
America symbolizes an ongoing vision. This is expressed in The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
As we celebrate and honor this July 4th let us remember, proclaim, and proudly sing, “My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty.”
America needs to sing, celebrate, and wave the flag again.
Let freedom ring!
Jim Coonrod is a Marine Corp. veteran and an avid gardener. He lives in Collinsville.
Source: Freepik.com