What will you do to celebrate Independence Day?

Louise M. Gouge here, waving my flag to celebrate my country.

 

During this Independence Day week, while enjoying hot dogs and fireworks, we all should be setting aside time to remember what our Founding Fathers did for us on July 4, 1776. So many people I talk to haven’t even read the Declaration of Independence or haven’t since high school. To read the entire text, click on the hyperlink. As you’ll easily see, this is NOT a dusty, old, out-of-date document!

As a college English instructor, I have my students read this great document every semester. They are often surprised to see how wisely Thomas Jefferson and his fellow authors set out their arguments against the British king, George III, giving all the reasons the colonies were severing their ties with England and her despotic ruler.

When I read the document aloud in class, rare is the time when I don’t get choked up reading the last few lines: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” This was not an idle comment or “finish with a flourish” conclusion. The signers did throw everything into the fight. Some of them did lose their lives. Some did lose their fortunes. But none of the signers lost their sacred honor throughout the entire Revolutionary War. As a result, we have a nation that affords us more freedoms and opportunities than any other nation in history.

Many things are happening in the United States today that cause concern. All the more reason for you to read the Declaration so you can see why our founders risked everything to create this nation. Then consider your part in maintaining our freedoms.

May God continue to bless the United States of America.

Visit my website at http://blog.Louisemgouge.com for an opportunity to win a copy of my July 2013 release, A Lady of Quality.