Independence Day - something to think about

As we celebrate Independence Day this Saturday, I encourage families to call this by the proper name - INDEPENDENCE DAY - and not let our toned down, politically correct society draw you into "just" celebrating the "Fourth of July."

The Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, states that we were endowed by our CREATOR with certain inalienable RIGHTS. According to the Bill of Rights, those rights include the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, freedom of religious worship and freedom of assembly. We have seen in recent times that obviously these rights have been taken for granted because they are now being taken away! On that note, I'll also mention that when a government becomes oppressive or exercises tyranny over its peoples, "it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government."

The date the Declaration of Independence was signed isn't what's important. Failing to focus on the true name of the holiday is simply another way to defer attention from the real issue. What's important is what was written in the Declaration of Independence. I'd say most Americans know that we celebrate "America's birthday" on July 4, but how many know exactly what this means?!? How many know what the Declaration of Independence stands for and how many fewer people know what is written in it?

This Independence Day, I will remind my children that we don't celebrate so that we can enjoy fireworks or picnics. We do not celebrate so that we can enjoy time with friends and family. We do not celebrate to enjoy a day at the beach or a trip to the mountains. We greatly enjoy all these things, but we celebrate because we want to honor the fact that we do live in a country that has been established by the blood and sweat of millions of men and women and children who would give everything for the sake of freedom. We celebrate Independence Day because we want them to remember always that freedom is not free and if they want to have a free country for their own children and grandchildren, they must never forget the past, the reasons we founded this great country and the principles it was founded upon.

Happy Independence Day!
Sonya Haskins