The Fourth of July is approaching and our nation will celebrate her 245th birthday. While we all have different opinions about various issues, let's agree there are some wonderful commonalities we share as Americans. Let's all celebrate our freedom and remember "freedom is not free." As we pause to celebrate, let's take some time to reflect and remember those whose blood is represented on our American flag. Since the American Revolution, thousands have given their lives for our nation and its freedom. As you eat your hotdogs, barbecue or boiled peanuts, or as you splash in the springs or the river, reflect for a moment that your day of celebration was paid for by the blood of many.
Think about loyalty, which is represented by the blue in our flag. As fireworks display a wonderful pageantry of color in the sky the night of the Fourth, remember loyalty to one's nation means something. Loyalty is earned and think of all the country has done for you. There's not another nation in the world where one can come from humble beginnings and, with hard work, determination and making good choices, can rise to great heights and dreams can be realized. When I think of a modern day American success story, I think of Dolly Parton. To me, she represents the American dream.
The white on the flag represents purity. Now, when I think about purity, I think of 24 karat gold (pure gold), but when something is "pure" anything, usually there is a process that makes it pure. In the case of a lot of metals, it's fire that refines it. Sometimes one has to go through some heat, as it were, before purity emerges. In America, we do face trials at times and we don't always agree with those in power, but, we have the right to disagree. As you eat your slice of cold watermelon and listen to some of your favorite music, give thanks for the trials by fire. In some nations, you can only listen and enjoy what the government deems appropriate.
My mind goes back to the lyrics of a little song I learned, now more than 55 years ago, in the second grade class of the late Virginia Johnson Daniel. I remember Mrs. Daniel, her ping pong paddle, her devotion to education and the White Springs Methodist Church, her pride in Florida Southern College and her programs at school. "Said Washington to Betsy Ross" was a great one. "Said Washington to Betsy Ross, 'A flag our nation needs –'" I can't recall the other words, but this I do recall:
"So she took some red for the blood they shed, / Some white for purity, / Some stars so bright from the sky o'erhead, / Some blue for loyalty, / And sewed them all together, / For loyal hearts and true, / And hand in hand as one we stand, / For the red, white and blue."
Reach out to a fellow American this Fourth of July and remember our nation is still GREAT. Celebrate America, "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave."
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a great day and a happy Fourth of July!