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The Torch of Freedom

Jul 1, 2021

The Torch of Freedom

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

– John Adams July 3, 1776

 

Although the Second Continental Congress made its decree for freedom on July 2, 1776, no one signed the Declaration of Independence until two days later, July 4, 1776 and the alarm for freedom was sounded at Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell.  Every year on the 4th of July, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped (not rung) 13 times in honor of the 13 original colonies.

 

I’ve always loved the 4th of July.  As a kid, I loved it because of piling in the back of a truck and going to watch fireworks at Crockery Lake.  As a young adult, I loved it because it seemed like this is when summer really began and the days would be long and lazy and hot.  As an adult, I love it for what it stands for.  I love the history and the sacrifices that were made to protect what the brilliant and visionary founding fathers wrote for us in the Declaration of Independence.  I love that most of all, they wanted to protect our freedoms ~ to live, love and prosper as all equal human beings. On a side note, that’s why the original flag had the stars in a circle, to show that every state was equal.  As we are celebrating this year, don’t forget about last year and how it felt to feel isolated and that we were no longer free.  We couldn’t do as wanted or live how we wanted to live.  For many of us, it was pretty awful.  So this year, celebrate the hell out of the 4th

Light off the fireworks. 

Have a bonfire. 

Go to a local U-Pick and pick red cherries and serve them on the 4th.

Make a red, white and blue 4th of July cake.  Bake cupcakes and sprinkle the white frosting with red and blue sprinkles.  Hang out with friends.  Toast to friendship, and family, and love and most of all, freedom. 

Let’s all do what John Adams asked of us.

Yeah, we were kind of robbed of 4th of July last year, but let’s not dwell on that.  Instead, let’s take a few minutes to look at the flag and to realize what it really stands for. Freedom.  And freedom is all anyone could really ask for.

Happy Birthday, America.  I cannot wait for fireworks.

 

LISTEN: Lee Greenwood, US soldiers release new version of ‘God Bless the USA’ – YouTube

With love from Grand Haven, Michigan,
Julie

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