Wednesday, we celebrate Independence Day, more commonly known as the 4th of July.  If you are like most of us, you will picnic and celebrate with fireworks.

  

Let us not forget what we are celebrating.  No, it is not the middle of summer, warm weather, or something similar.  We are celebrating and honoring the beginning of the independence of our great country, the time when we were no longer servants of England but, rather, the start of our own country.  We became free to chose our own destiny and to live our lives as we wanted.  We became able to worship as we please and associate with anyone we chose.  We were free to govern ourselves, to have a voice in that government and even be a part of it if we chose.

  

Let us not lose sight of this in the name of safety, security, equal results, or just being too busy to be bothered.  Blindly trusting others to look out for our well being is a precursor for disaster, bondage and loss of freedom. Without our guidance and involvement, they will look out for what is good for them.

  

Freedom is not free.  We must always be vigilant and willing to stand up for what we believe to be right and true even if it isn't popular.  Let us continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

  

Happy Independence Day.