The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. On this day, we celebrate the birth of our nation by spending time with friends at cookouts, going to parades, and watching fireworks. But it’s also important to reflect on the significance of this day, when we declared Independence and stood up for the dignity and freedom of man. This is a day for us to relax, but it’s also a day to reflect on those brave Americans that helped shape our nation…it’s a day for us to reflect on how we can best uphold the same ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that drove our founding fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.
Benjamin Franklin, one of our most respected founding fathers, jokingly reminded his fellow Patriots during the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” He was reminding them that they needed to stick together as a team, fight for what was right, and he wanted them to stay safe in the pursuit of their cause.
I’d ask all Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members to do the same…stick together as members of a team every day, fight for what is right when you have the opportunity, and always stay safe…especially on holidays! It’s your duty to keep an eye on one another and take care of those within our Army Family, and it requires personal courage to stand up and be loyal to one another.
Remind each other to “buckle up” in the car or “grab a cab”; plan ahead so you don’t find yourself in an unwelcome situation; and don’t let your ego get the best of you. Patriots gave their lives in securing the freedoms we enjoy today"don’t waste yours unnecessarily.
Sue and I thank you and your Families for all you do in defense of our great nation. You represent the very best the U.S. has to offer.
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