Encyclopedia Britannica
John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States.
He once famously stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." It was a different era during his time. Both Democrats and Republicans worked together. Naturally, they had their differences but they were true patriots and wanted to make America the best place it could be. Most Americans loved freedom, family, God, Country, and fellowman. But all nations, just like individuals, have growing pains and must mature to become the best they can be. In spite of imperfections, since its founding in 1776, America has grown to become the only nation on earth, to which people from around the world, are still willing to sacrifice everything they have to make their way to a new, more prosperous life.
Ray Hennessy on Unsplash
Fast forward: 4th of July Week, 2020
Rioters, arsonists, and anarchists are still trying to burn American cities and topple historical monuments. Recently, there is even talk of destroying Mount Rushmore, the home of four U.S. Presidential stone replicas.
George Washington was the first president, a military general who led the patriot army to Independence (which we celebrate this weekend), a statesman, and the president most nationally beloved, in his time.
Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president, was a Founding Father, the one who originated the phrase, "All men are created equal."
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, led the country through its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis, winning the Civil War, and, eventually, ending slavery.
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president, a conservationist, a learned historian and American writer. He was hugely popular and an extremely accomplished NYC Police Commissioner, Assistant Naval Secretary, NY Governor, VP, and two-term President. He ranks in polls of historians and political scientists as one of the five best American presidents.
Alex Radelich on Unsplash
Most protesters sincerely march for positive change.
Most recent protesters believe they are participating in a worthy cause but, covertly, there is an agenda which has less than honorable intentions. These radical forces are hijacking peaceful protests, resulting in riots, deaths, arson, and anarchy. Patrisse Cullors said in a 2015 resurfaced video that she and her fellow BLM founders and organizers are "trained Marxists." Ms Cullors is a protégé of Eric Mann, a former subversive in the Weather Underground domestic terror organization (who spent prison time for his revolutionary tactics). The Weather Underground was led by Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, who called for civil disobedience to overthrow the US government. It was in 1969 that the FBI designated this group a domestic terror organization (nypost.com). It makes one wonder if they are as concerned about anyone's life as much as they are about overthrowing Western civilization, the Constitution, and the Government.
Frank McKenna on Unsplash
God Bless America!
This Independence Day has special significance. Amid the fireworks, bar-b-ques, and summer activities, there has never been a more important time to reflect on the hard-fought freedoms this country has enjoyed over two hundred years, and what responsibility each of us has to participate in the American process to live freely. This is not the time for divisiveness but it is critical to become unified so our country can begin healing. Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States, when men were free." American history is important because we can learn from mistakes and then continue to progress towards our revered American ideals.
I love the last verse of the Battle Hymn of the Republic: "...As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free, while God is marching on."
I hope you have a thought-provoking and wonderful holiday celebration and, as always, all my best along your trail of hope, happiness, healing, & success!
