This Independence Day - From Glenn Beck

[Cyneca]

July 3, 2009

Hello America,

Here it is, another Fourth of July. Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends, maybe fire up the barbeque and play with kids until the sun sets and the fireworks start. But in thinking back on the meaning behind this day, we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of "fireworks." Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year…I'd like to ask you a favor. At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July -- our Independence Day. Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that. On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk.

Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so. As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4th, I came across some interesting facts about these men. Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans.

Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for "regular" Americans to change the course of history, remember: The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim.

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it.

As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you? But let's not be solemn in that reflection. I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids. The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own: To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit. America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as "we the people" remember that just like in 1776.

It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down.

Happy Independence Day, and God bless America.

Glenn

[JT Keller]

It seems to me, that everyone here is fully aware of the meaning of Independence Day. But, I must say that Mr. Beck has the situation backwards. Those of us who believe in our Country, Constitution, Personal Responsibility, God, Our Families, and Law and Order are encircled by an angry mob. An angry mob dead set on "remaking America." The arrogance alone of such a statement is appalling. In 233 years this Republic has accomplished more than most countries ever have combined. And yet, those in power, and specifically one, want to "remake it." Funny, I don't recall seeing anything about re-making in either the Presidential oath of office, nor in the oath of office for Congress, or the Judiciary. This may well be our last July 4th, so we might as well celebrate it for its true meaning. Remember those who put everything they had, and everything they were on the line.

JT

[Lary Lemin]

.I usually don't pass-on emails I receive ... but





Have a fun (and safe) fourth of July.



Let's get this circulating by July 4th



I HOPE THERE ISN'T ANYONE ON MY E-MAIL LIST THAT WON'T KEEP THIS GOING.


Happy 4th of
July!....
........... ....let' s get this started now,
So it will be out there on the fourth!!!!

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG, OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR
WHICH IT STANDS,

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE,

WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
KEEP
IT LIT!! KEEP
IT LIT!

For
All of our other military personnel, where ever they may
Be
Please
Support all of the troops defending our Country.




And God
Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our
Freedom.
Thanks
To them, and their sacrifices we can celebrate the 4th of July




We must never forget who
Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be
Eternally grateful.


I watched the flag
Pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.




A young Marine
Saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..


I looked at
Him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square
And eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.



I thought how many men
Like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign
Soil
How many mothers' tears?


How many pilots' planes
Shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers'
Graves?
No, freedom isn't free

I heard the sound of Taps
One night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler

Play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant 'Amen,'

When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.




I thought of all the
Children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and
Husbands
With interrupted lives.
I Thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in
Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.


Enjoy Your Freedom
& God Bless Our Troops
When
You receive this, please stop for a moment
AndSay a
Prayer for our servicemen.
Of all the gifts you could give
A US Soldier, Prayer is the very best
One.


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