“We” Is One Word Not Two Letters

Throughout our travels, no matter where we have gone, every place has had one thing in common... they are all a part of this great country which my family has called home from the very beginning of this nation's founding and has fought for the rights and freedoms for which our flag flies. Once I saw the flag hanging in front of the Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe I was struck by the reminder that there is more than just a grand structure looking over this small mountain town in the Poconos. And if we pay attention to the world around us we can easily see the tactile representation of our country’s founding ideals in the 13 stripes and 50 stars.

Independence Day is not a time of sales and pyrotechnics. Today is a time of pride for every person that has the privilege to call themselves an American. Regardless of our own political opinions and our feelings about whether the government has done something right or wrong, this is a time of unity under one flag that shines brighter than any spark in the sky.

This is a time to remember and honor the sacrifices made not only by those who have fought for and fought to defend liberty but also a time to honor those who chose to come to the United States and make this country their home. It is a time to remember our heritage both as individual families and a nation as a whole. This is a day to reflect on how we honor our ancestors in our own lives.

We must consider what this nation stands for and the rights that we have been granted by G-d and country. We must hold fast to ensure the rights and freedoms of every person during this time of great change in which we live. It is our duty and our responsibility to uphold the rights and freedoms of others regardless of whether we personally partake in those liberties. So long as we hold in our hearts the fact that rights are not optional we can keep the history, memory, and ideals of this nation’s founding alive and ensure that our nation will continue to thrive.

Let your neighbor know, let the world know, that we are one nation and our flag hangs ever-present not as a representation of the government but as a symbol of a united people. Today we are not two parties, we are one people. We are not a country of religious strife; we are one nation under G-d. We are Americans and we are proud of our history.