Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, the date on which Americans celebrate our nation’s independence.  Robert F. Kennedy once said, “It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.  Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”  The American revolutionaries certainly serve as support for this statement.  Without our forefathers’ courage to stand up for their own ideals, America as we know and enjoy it today might  not exist.  Our country’s all-volunteer armed forces protect and defend those same principles today and we salute their patriotism, professionalism, and commitment to serving our country.  Often, we lose track  that America’s precedence in its fight for independence and democracy  has served as encouragement for others around the world to  stand up for their ideals and force change even in the face of overwhelming odds and sacrifice.

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If you were born in the U.S.A. (apologies to Bruce Springsteen), you have memories of July 4th.  My favorite memories are mainly from my youth when we would celebrate the nation’s birthday and my grandfather’s birthday (July 4, 1888) with our family reunion.  Aunts, uncles, cousins; it was a well-attended event and we would have a softball game or two if the weather cooperated.  Many of my relatives were farmers and July 4th was a date that generally didn’t conflict with planting or harvesting a crop.   A senior family member or the local pastor would say a prayer before the buffet-style lunch was available.  I can’t remember an opening prayer where it wasn’t stated that we were thankful.

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