Independence Day

I cannot let the day pass without acknowledging the importance of July 4th. Of course, Americans know that today is Independence Day, the day set aside to honor our freedoms gained when our forefathers rose up against what they deemed to be infringements upon their personal liberties by the royal governance an ocean away. The colonies thus gained their independence from Mother England after a fiercely fought revolution, creating the United States of America. Today is set aside to thank those brave men and women who stood up against tyranny, but we should also take the time to reflect on those freedoms and how we came to enjoy them. Granted, America is not perfect, but, then who really is?  The freedoms we enjoy should not be taken for granted.  We enjoy our freedom because of the countless number of brave men and women who fought to secure them. Today, as we celebrate with fireworks and barbecues, we should also take a moment and realize how wonderful it is to live in America as well as thank those who made American freedoms possible. Freedom is never free and should not be taken for granted.  Happy Birthday America and thank you to all those who made this birthday celebration possible.