250 Year 4th of July Celebration
July 4, 2026 was our Country’s 250th year anniversary and we gathered with friends for a celebration. Among all the great activities of the day, each of us was asked to do a “reading” of what the anniversary means to us individually. The was great idea as we heard the many readings, but also learned more of our Country’s history from the readings.
As requested, below is the text of my reading. Click play to begin (1:15). In my reading, I faded/stopped after about 15 seconds to begin the reading.
Some of you hear a patriotic tune…I hear a company of young OSC candidates in 1968
marching everywhere we went, whistling that very song. Even after all these years, hearing
it takes me right back to those early years in learning patriotism ,…… but long before that:
250 years ago, ordinary people made an extraordinary decision — they declared that the
government exists to serve the people — they believe that this was a gift from our creator
and protected by our constitution.
The Fourth of July, and this song, reminds us that:
It is a promise.
A promise that hard work matters.
A promise that freedom is worth protecting.
A promise that people from every walk of life can build something better for themselves
and their families.
That promise has attracted dreamers, builders, entrepreneurs, teachers, farmers, soldiers, and countless others who believed that tomorrow could be brighter than yesterday.
Our flag has flown over moments of great triumph and times of great trial. Through it all,
Americans have continued to move forward—not because life was easy, but because
hope was stronger than fear.
Today we celebrate not only our independence, but also the veterans who served and the
countless Americans whose quiet contributions rarely make the history books. Also, that we can enjoy the gifts from God and the many freedoms that our founders gave us, including the freedom to worship.
So, as we celebrate today, let’s enjoy that we are here together. But let us also remember that patriotism is not just a feeling we have once a year.
It is a decision to be grateful for this country, to care for it, and to hand it forward stronger than we received it.
Happy Fourth of July, and may God bless America.