A day of respect and reflection

Today is a day that commands the respect of every citizen of the United States of America. It should be a time of reflection, of not only our recent past, but a past that involves over 200 years. We know the struggles of our soldiers and country today, we have heard (and many that lived) the struggles throughout other wars since World War II. But how much do we really know about the people and the times that made us able to enjoy this day with our families, camping, barebecuing and watching wonderful displays of fireworks?

I'm sure most of us would say it starts with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, our history goes back even farther then that, with the discussions of the Boston Tea Party and really to the first people landing here. Contrary to popular belief, the idea to become independent was not an easy one for most people. Even George Washington hesitated to become the leader of the Continental army. These were men and women with families who knew the fighting would be done in front of their homes, on their land and could fear death if the continental army did not win this war. But theirs was a decision that changed the scope of our land for over 200 years. And that is why we should remember them today.

Reading about the Revolutionary War in school gave me the facts, but it was not until I saw "The Patriot" that I really had a true understanding and new found respect for the people of the late 1700's. It is a movie I will show my daughter some day (it is graphic, but it does capture the spirit of America all to well). When you put yourself in the shoes of Mel Gibson's character, or anyone he meets, you cannot help to wince and cry with the decisions they had to make and how those decisions affected the whole family. Even the women had to stand strong and not back down when their family was threatened. It was all to easy to get caught up in acts of revenge, but these acts had to be put on hold for the greater good. And after the war, the people came together to help each other rebuild, not only their homes, but their country.

At the birth of our country America was not partisan, for the most part. There were sides and they had different ideas, but not so much they couldn't work together. They set the constitution and the bill of rights, they pioneered exploration and continued on through hardships we can only imagine today.

The vision of our founding fathers was simple, to be free of oppression of religion, to have the right to bear arms and protect your family, to be able to stand up and say when you thought your government was doing something wrong. Laws that today are still on paper, but commonly ignored and we as a people have not upheld to the point that our forefathers would appreciate, in my opinion. However that is for another blog, this one is to remember.

So please take a moment at dinner, or at the fireworks tonight or when you see the American flag today, to remember the people that started it all and to reflect how we can do our best to still be the country they envisioned. They gave their lives, their families, their farms and their hopes and for their sacrifices they received the ultimate triumph that has been handed down for generations - freedom.