Our Forefathers

We are nearing the Fourth of July, the official day Americans remember and celebrate our country’s independence. The American Revolutionary War put an end to Britain’s rule over the colonists and America established itself as a democracy, a free country.  

My instruction in democracy came from public education. In first grade I learned to stand, place my right hand over my heart and say The Pledge of Allegiance. The words allegiance, indivisible, liberty and justice were not easy to pronounce, and even harder to understand. But after repeating those thirty-one words every day for the twelve years that I attended parochial and public schools, I got the gist of what the American flag stands for. 

Allegiance, indivisible, liberty and justice are not just words. These are the extraordinary qualities of our democracy. 

I am grateful that I have never lived under any other kind of government other than a democratic one. I have read stories of others living under dictatorships, communism and monarchy. Those forms of government pale in comparison to ours. 

I remember how my fifth grade teacher explained to us that a democracy was a form of government that was by the people and for the people. And a friend of mine, who has traveled the world extensively, has commented more than once that although our government is imperfect, it is better than any of the other ones that are out there. 

George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln are pillars of American history. These men set high standards for our country. Their way of life represented the philosophy of young America. 

Washington displayed honesty and integrity. Franklin’s life showed self-discipline and courtesy and Lincoln exemplified moral courage and patience. These men understood how to live responsibility with freedom. Though imperfect, these men lived by a code of decency. They may be long gone, but still stand as trustworthy examples. 

We can’t talk about Independence Day without recalling the Declaration of Independence, the document that states the rights and the philosophy of our country. Who does not know that as citizens we have the freedom to vote or not, to own a gun or not, to practice religion or not, and speak out or not. 

I am grateful for the democracy I live under, and for its extraordinary qualities. As  a citizen, I have the privilege to enjoy my freedom, yet I know that the health of my freedom is reliant on living wisely. 

Living wisely in freedom, does not mean doing whatever we want. Rather living freely means doing what we know is the right thing to do. 

Why Bother?

Why bother remembering our forefathers? Our forefathers stood for allegiance, indivisible, liberty and justice, the extraordinary qualities of our democracy.