It’s been 245 years since the first Independence Day July 4th., 1776. Typically, the day is celebrated with parades and barbeques, picnics with friends and families, and fireworks lighting up the nighttime sky. On this day we need to also remember why we celebrate.
Our American dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, establishing our self-government and Independence from the British Empire. On July 4th, we celebrate the creation of our extraordinary country and the independence on which it was formed. The freedoms that inspired our Founding Founders are affirmed in the Declaration of Independence, and upheld in our Constitution, and are to this day the guiding principles of our Republic.
Former President Ronald Reagan’s words from over 40 years ago continue to ring true today: “The American dream lives—not only in the hearts and minds of our own countrymen but in the hearts and minds of millions of the world’s people in both free and oppressed societies who look to us for leadership. As long as that dream lives, as long as we continue to defend it, America has a future, and all mankind has reason to hope.”
We all know the most important sentence in the Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
We must never lose sight of the principles on which our great country was founded. As a people, we must believe them, or we are doomed as a country. Too many of us do not think about those words on July 4th. We need to change that and spend some reflective time on the founding tenants of our country. These principles must continue to be our guidance through these times of challenge and adversity.
The founding fathers who wrote the Declaration of Independence signed on that memorable July 4th, all acknowledged the providence of Almighty God as the foundation of our country. From George Washington on down the line, they all gave credit to our creator as providing the guidance for the very existence of our country.
Our 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, stated, “Without God, there would be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of God is the most basic tenant of Americanism. The founding fathers of America saw it. We must continue to recognize it today.” Ronald Reagan made it clear also, “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under.”
There is no doubt that these are unprecedented times. As we go forward, we must never forget the words in our pledge of allegiance; "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,"
Perry O. Hooper Jr. is on the Republican State Executive Committee, is a former State Representative, and a 2020 Trump Team Leader.
