Jul

Preserving Divine Providence

decindep

There are many ways to celebrate the 4th of July in America, besides the universally appealing fireworks and backyard cookouts. In Bristol, Rhode Island you can attend the oldest continuing 4th of July parade – held since 1785. In Denmark you can spend the weekend at the July 4th weekend festival; held since 1912 for welcoming home Danish-Americans. On Coney Island you can participate, if you’re a big eater, in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. In our nations capital you go an sit on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital for a free concert.

Whatever you decide to do, this weekend, thank our founding fathers for having the courage and strength to do what was right and needed.

Two-hundred thirty three years ago, yesterday, the second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia and voted to secede from Great Britain. Two days later those same men approved the declaration that currently resides in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. I’ve read this declaration several times; some for educational purposes, some for motivational purposes and some times for general reference. The language is passionate and to the point; and that is why it moves me in so many ways.

I love my country, and the people that reside within our borders are more than fellow citizens – their my American brethren.

I’m including my favorite passage from the Declaration of Independence to pay tribute to our founding fathers. Happy 4th.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.