Our country declared it's independence from tyranny and oppression 236 years ago today. The drive that made pilgrims hop on ships and come to this continent was brought to fulfillment that day. The desire to worship in the way they chose made them risk their lives. They risked everything.
Our nation was born of war, for the ideal that we could live in freedom. The Apostle Paul defined freedom as "slavery to righteousness." It took men laying down their lives to break that hold. Each one had dreams and goals, parents that loved them, and a belief that the best comes from choosing to do the right thing, even at the cost of their lives.
We have people that still do that today. They are our military. They have represented our country with honor, strength, and dignity. They have gone to foreign fields to secure our freedom. They have protected us at home in times of disaster. They dared to dream their own dreams, knowing their lives could be demanded that very day.
Their families serve and suffer with them. Wives choose to do this for the men they love. The children learn those values and have the responsibility to carry them. They didn't ask for the job, it comes with the territory. In general, they do it well.
I am proud to support our military. I hear the words of the Star Spangled Banner and understand what they mean.
Francis Scott Key had a bad day of negotiating with the British at Fort McHenry. The last words he heard from his opposition were, "If the flag is gone from Fort McHenry in the morning, you will cease to have a country." During the all out assault, each attack was repelled, the flag shored up. The men and boys who went to shore up the flag were gave their lives.
And our flag was still there.
So...am I off base?
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