Emma Lazarus Wrote It Best

Amid the fireworks, food, and fun, there is a pause to acknowledge those men and women who have sacrificed so much so that this country may live free. Thank you to the men and women who serve this country by defending freedom and rights. There are millions who served and millions who continue to serve on a daily basis. These individuals give of their time and effort in city, state, or federal government. There are those who offer protection by running towards danger while the rest of us run away from it. These first responders take an oath to serve and protect which they do without question and often with little praise until a major disaster which thrusts their heroism into the spotlight.

There are those who may not serve in any public capacity, but they serve by honoring the declaration of independence given two hundred and thirty-seven years ago. They get up each day and go to work to provide for their families. They sacrifice their desires to ensure their children are educated, safe, and fed. They are living free pursuing a higher calling, education, or employment. Some are parents juggling work and children's extracurricular activities. Some are students chasing a dream, working several jobs, and paying their way through higher education. All are immigrants generations of families who long uprooted comfort and tradition for an opportunity for better in the foreign land of the new world known as the United States Of America.

Whatever their stories, background, and dreams, all are Americans living their version of the American Dream. All are striving for better. All working together to achieve bigger, better, or different than generations past. All realize that it was the promise of those who cam before which they are fulfilling today. A promise to which they will add and those who take the torch from them will then be entrusted to add to it from that point. Amid the firework, food, and fun, may all those individuals all those Americans take the time to appreciate all who surround them for together, this is a magnificent nation filled with stories, dreams, and wishes which are only made possible by working as one. May we take a cue from Emma Lazarus whose words can be found on the Statue Of Liberty. - Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" -

Happy Independence Day!!