WE THE PEOPLE...

In 1776, the founders of this nation signed into being a document that was so powerful it made kings tremble, empires fall and changed the world forever. It was simple and straightforward, outlining the beliefs of a nation in a paragraph:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

In a few sentences, they destroyed the illusion that kings ruled through "divine right" as they had done through centuries, anointed by priests and popes. They stated that the "divine right" belonged to all men. They said that the poorest, least educated man could understand that the natural condition of man was to live free and succeed or fail by the fruits of his own labor. They said that these rights could not be taken away by any man because they were not given by man, but by a higher power, unassailable in His position above man.

In two short sentences.

For these two sentences, for over two centuries, men and women have fought, sacrificed and sometimes died to insure that it remains the creed of our nation. It remains ours to defend and ours to manifest among people and nations.

Thirteen years later, in 1789, a second document re-enforced these rights and established a form of government unknown to the world. It began with the most powerful words ever written in large, bold letters:

WE THE PEOPLE...

The power of these words is realized in the great efforts of our people throughout history. These words created a nation. These words held a nation together in times when other nations would have disintegrated. These words fueled the fastest technological and industrial development of any nation. These words mobilized a nation to defense in the face of great peril. It is these words which continue to inspire men and women to volunteer to defend and sacrifice for these words: WE THE PEOPLE.

It is the power and defense of these words that allows "WE THE PEOPLE" to enjoy a way of life, a kind of freedom and monumental prosperity that is still unprecedented among nations. The value that we place on this freedom and prosperity, the value that we place on "WE THE PEOPLE", is directly reflected by the value that we place on those who always "provide for the common defense" of our nation. Because they have always been "of the people", it has always been the responsibility, the honor and the privilege of "WE THE PEOPLE" to care for and provide for those who serve and defend "WE THE PEOPLE" so well and faithfully.

This Fourth of July, as we celebrate our freedom, let us enjoy this day more fully. Let us be proud of our great heritage. Let us honor the patriotism and continuing sacrifice of our men and women as they serve "WE THE PEOPLE".

God bless you and your families, God bless our troops and God bless the United States of America.

Don't forget, if you are enjoying your freedom today, THANK A VET!