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Published Saturday, July 04, 2009 in Opinion
Land of freedom
Welcome to our birthday party. Today marks the 233rd anniversary of the day of our birth, when we were given the name of freedom. But before we celebrate, we should remember the birth pains of our deliverance; the blood, the hardships and agony of our mother Liberty. Nor should we forget the blessing given us by our father when he endowed us in the name of our holy creator with certain unalienable rights; and that among these were life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
A birthday is a point of reference, a mark, a protection against oblivion. It is our duty to remember and to celebrate this freedom. We must also remember the continuing bitterness and price of our liberty. Those that lay down so we can stand up again, and those that gave their blood while all we could give was our gratitude. Every day, but especially today, we must mutually pledge to each other our sacred honor. Our liberty and freedom is under God; may our sacred honor never waver.
Our legacy is a land of freedom. May we never know infamy again. The message of the perpetual fight required to maintain our freedom must be conveyed from generation to generation. We have to be vigilant and tenacious in times of peace, to enforce the idea that men of goodwill can always win over evil-doers and those ideologies that keep crushing millions of people on our planet.
Now, in the words of John Adams:
"I believe the day will be celebrated by succeeding generations as a great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parades, show and games. And fireworks from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."
Interestingly, Abigail Adam's reply to husband John mentioned some of these new liberties should be given to women, as husbands are inclined to be tyrants. So started women's lib.
With this charge, let the remembrances and celebrating begin. Happy birthday.
Gene Cook
Newnan
(Cook is a decorated World War II veteran.)
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