Submitted by Shawn Harper

The 4th of July is not a republican or democrat holiday, it’s not a liberal or conservative day, it’s America’s birthday.

The freedom we have, the freedom we use and know, was fiercely fought for and dearly paid for long, long ago.

The Declaration of Independence did not set us free on the 4th of July 1776, but each year we celebrate the indomitable, unstoppable Spirit of America.

Because we have freedom, because of our deeply held belief in it, and our unwavering devotion to it, America is the greatest place on earth.

Our forward looking, upward reaching philosophy propelled us to do better, to be better, to design our destiny, and pursue lofty ideals.

America’s greatness comes from the foundation on which it was built “We hold these truths to be self-evident, All men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life-Liberty-and the pursuit of Happiness.

To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men.”

We created government to protect our rights.

Less than 100 years afterward we conquered the frontier while our government decimated the Indigenous population.

It took 90 years to end slavery, more years until women could vote, and more years for the Civil Rights Act, and, we have indeed made a more perfect union. Those were considered progressive ideas.

In 1969 we conquered the New Frontier, we went to and safely returned from the moon.

We can and we will make America better than ever, because we believe in justice and the right of it.

We believe in goodness and the might of it.

We offer a helping hand and words of cheer.

Hope, faith, and patriotism are very dear.

Here freedom is very clear.

Let’s live up to our oath and pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

We the people, means everyone.

Happy Independence Day.