July 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. Because freedom is something to savor. To enjoy. To celebrate. But most of all to appreciate. The reality is that today, much of the world is not free. Fearfully, they bow to the bullies in control. They hide their true thoughts and feelings to avoid harsh punishment or even death.
My first exposure to a world without freedom was in 1977 Eastern Europe. Bound by the chains of communism, the people had suffered for years at the hands of despots and tyrants. A Pensione manager whispering from her heart into my mother’s ear, “We love you Americans but we are so afraid to say so – we’ve had war for so many years…” is a sentence that has stuck in my mind for 28 years. Border guards meticulously searching our train with mirrors probing underneath and German Shepherds examining within was an experience I’ve not forgotten.
Never should we take the precious freedoms we daily enjoy for granted. Freedom was not cheap. Freedom was a dream purchased with the blood of our forbearers. For over 200 years, our freedoms have been maintained with even more blood of our American heroes.
So today, as we celebrate with parades, BBQ and fireworks. Let’s remember and be thankful.
God Bless America, and may we continue to be the shining example of freedom to bear testimony to the world.