Independence Day

July 4, 1986 - Presidential Address to the Nation from Ronald Reagan, "We have 208 years of history behind us. But somehow, these days, we know the whole world is before us. And we can feel as Teddy Roosevelt did when he surveyed the world at the turn of the century. He said, ``We Americans see across the dangers the great future that lies beyond, and we rejoice as a giant refreshed, as a strong man ready for the race. The great victories are yet to be won; the greatest deeds yet to be done. There are yet in store for our people and for the causes we uphold, grander triumphs than have ever yet been scored.''"

No president, past or present, speaks to my heart the way Reagan does. He has a way with words that is more than just flowery rhetoric. He embodies the American Spirit like few presidents have in more than 200 years of our nations history.

Our nation faces many foes from without, but even more disastrously , from within. Today is a day to remember those who fought in days past to preserve our liberties from the daily assaults of tyranny and to recommit to our own resolve to do the same so that when we meet those who have gone before, we too can say we did all within our power to maintain the light of liberty to the world.

"And I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that light to me; and I gladly stand up next to her and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God Bless the USA."

I amended one word in this song because it is not man who gives us our rights, though many have fought and died to preserve them and keep the light of liberty burning bright as though held aloft to the world. The Statue of Liberty stands as a symbol of this light to the world and greets many who have and who continue to come to this country to seek refuge from the oppressions of man.

Our rights come not from man, nor government, but from God. Those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence knew this truth to be self-evident: That all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with unalienable rights. That among these rights are life, liberty, and property. May we live worthy of these rights and never surrender to those who seek to usurp these rights.