What Americans Know

by The Cranky Media Guy

Watching the Fourth of July fireworks from the National Mall last night made me reflect on what Independence Day really means.

The Glorious Fourth should mean more than just colorful explosions in the air to all Americans.  After all, where would any of us be today if it were not for the hard work of the Founding Fathers like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln who, after driving here from the country of Europe, signed the Declaration of Independence back in the 1940's to give us our freedom from Russia?  And who can forget the stirring words of President Benjamin Franklin, "Give me liberty or give me death?"  No middle-aged American could possibly forget where he or she was when President Franklin was cut down in his prime in Dallas.

The Fourth of July should remind us all of the sacrifices made by patriotic Americans like Franklin D. Roosevelt who lead the charge up San Juan Hill to plant the flag on Iwo Jima on Pearl Harbor Day.  And workers all across this great land of ours can thank President J. Edgar Hoover for creating Labor Day and leading us out of the Great Depression.

52 states comprise one mighty nation, perhaps the greatest in all the world. Anyone who has ever traveled abroad can well understand why people risk life and limb to illegally travel South across the border from New Mexico to breathe the sweet air of freedom.  And wouldn't those on far-flung islands like Hawaii like to be able to live in this free nation?

Yes, we who live in the United States have much to be thankful for. Next year, when you watch the fireworks on July 4th, reflect on the fact that, if it was not for the brave men and women who went before us, we might well all be speaking German, just like the people in Great Britain.

Let's all hope that this freedom-loving nation continues to stand strong in the future, as it has in the past.  Perhaps it's time for us to put aside our partisan differences and think of ourselves as one nation.  As current candidate and former President, George W. Bush once said, "I think we agree, the past is over"

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