Dependably Pursuing Virtuous Independence

An odd phrase I frequently tell my children on their birthdays is "I'm glad you were born." That sentiment really is what we are communicating when we celebrate birthdays, isn't it? Just so, when in the United States of America we celebrate the 4th of July, or Independence Day if you prefer, we ought to do more than go through the motions and check the box of what is expected of us. Or perhaps a great many of us are not happy this nation was born. In that case, those persons should not celebrate the 4th of July. And if they think some other country on Earth is better than this one, they should make arrangements to move there. As for my family, we will celebrate with gladness and thanksgiving that day in 1776 on which the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress. And we will thank God that we have the great privilege of having been born citizens of this great country. May we be faithful stewards of our civic responsibility, and this great heritage which has been passed down to us as our inheritance. And may God bless us and America as we endeavor to make a more perfect union of these states, E pluribus unum, striving to honor him in the conducting of our affairs and in the exercising of our rights and liberties. So help us God.