"Birthday Time"

Yesterday marked the 231st time we have celebrated Independence Day in these great United States of America. That document which declared our independence from Great Britain.

It is also an indelible day in my life since I was born on that date many moons ago in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We have spent this day down through the years viewing the many changes in the American way of life. But, many things have not changed. July Fourth is still a day for barbecue, baseball, family get-togethers, parades, speeches, fireworks and remembrance. Remembrance that Freedom is NOT Free! All the wars through the years were costly ... in lives, injuries, and money. Maybe you have heard this before, but it is worth repeating:

I watched the flag pass by one day, it fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform, so young, so tall, so proud, With hair cut square and eyes alert, he'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him, had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil, How many mother's tears? How many pilots' planes shot down. How many died at sea. How many foxholes were soldiers' graves.

No, freedom is not free!

I heard the sounds of Taps one night, when everything was still. I listened to the bugle play and felt a sudden chill.

I wandered just how many times that Taps had meant
"Amen".

When a flag had draped a coffin, of a relative or a friend. I thought of all the children, of the mothers and the wives. Of the fathers, sons and husbands with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard, at the bottom of the sea. Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free!

But despite vast changes, and seemingly growing problems, there are still more people trying to get INTO America than the very few trying to get OUT! That's because America is still strong. Still resilient. Still with the courage to put aside differences within and work TOGETHER when facing any individual, group, or countries who want to weaken the bonds of freedom that our people have paid with the supreme price so those Stars and Stripes shall continue to wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Thank you America and thank you Americans, particularly those who paid the supreme price. From Flanders Field, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq Americans have fought and died. And, because they did, people in this country can attend the church of their choice, go to a football, baseball, hockey or soccer game without fear.

Go to the mall, stop for a burger or a coffee at Starbucks, we just go on doing whatever we want to do without thinking about those American men and women who are still fighting in in Iraq.

No, Freedom is not Free!

May God continue to richly Bless America!

And may Freedom continue to reign supreme for many more July Fourths in future years!

That's my time, and I do thank you for yours!