Let freedom ring!
Hi neighbors. What are your plans for today? This is "America's Holiday" and I hope you celebrate it as a day to honor what America means to you. It would be a great time to review a little American history with your children.
Find out what the word "freedom" means in the dictionary and in your own heart. Discuss things like the Declaration of Independence. Maybe throw this quote out for discussion:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Tell your children about why the second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. What were some of the reasons they wanted to break away from Britain's rule?
I'm sure any teenagers in the family could come up with one or two ideas on that one.
Ask your children why they think the Revolutionary War was necessary. Why didn't the founding fathers just tell Britain to go away and expect it to do so? Did they anticipate it would take a war to become independent?
What was Britain like in 1776? What was Europe like? Was there any place else where people could express their differences of opinions without repercussions? Where else could people practice whatever religion they wanted to or choose who would govern them?
The Revolutionary War was not a short-term skirmish for the Americans determined to be free. It wasn't until 1781 that Britain finally conceded the fight and surrendered to George Washington in Yorktown, Va.
Every generation of Americans since has enjoyed freedoms and rights that were unattainable before the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War.
The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights brought additional freedoms that all Americans should know and respect. These freedoms (paraphrased) are:
Freedom of religion -- there is no "state" or mandated religion in the United States. People are free to choose their beliefs and worship as they please without government interference or reprisal.
Freedom of assembly -- people can meet in groups to discuss whatever they want to, including politics, without going through a lengthy, or fruitless process to get "permission" from the government to do so.
Freedom of speech -- guarantees people the right to say what they want (within the bounds of libel or slander of course) without fear.
Freedom of press -- newspapers and television or radio can report the news without censorship by the government.
Freedom to keep and bear arms -- citizens can own guns for hunting and for protection of themselves, their families and if needed their country.
Freedom to a fair and speedy trial by an impartial jury of their peers -- a government official can't simply declare you guilty of some crime without a trial.
Freedom to petition -- citizens can request changes in the laws of the land and show their displeasure with existing laws.
Freedom of limitation of power of the federal government -- citizens can stop the federal government from voting itself into sole power to rule.
Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure -- citizens cannot have their personal property seized or their homes entered by police or other government agencies without a legal declaration in writing of what exactly the reason is for the search. Private property cannot be simply "taken" by the government because it wants it.
Freedom from double jeopardy -- being tried more than once for the same crime.
It is important to remember that the freedoms we enjoy in America were earned by our forefathers as they fought and died for independence. They wanted a new way to live. They wanted to choose their own path without government telling them who they were and what they could or could not do with their skills and dreams.
Freedom does not come for free. We must all fight to preserve our freedoms each day through an understanding of America's history, a desire to participate in our own government, and to take up arms if called to do so.
I hope you celebrate Independence Day with all the enthusiasm and determination to preserve those freedoms our founding fathers died to establish.
Celebrate! Join the parade, watch the firecracker displays, and listen to the bands! Join together and remember that America, and all the personal freedoms it represents to the world, can only survive as long as we remember, protect and honor all those who sacrificed in our stead.