July 19, 1775, a band of selfless colonial farmers stand up to British tyranny and injustice. September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, setting all of the slaves free. April 6, 1917, the United States, after enduring months of hardships at the hands of German U-boats, enters World War 1. April 11, 1945, US troops liberate thousands of Jews from the atrocities of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands before his nation, and gives vision to a dream for a free and unprejudiced America. May 2, 2011, Osama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist group al Qaeda, is terminated by Seal Team 6. On each of the dates listed, men and women who loved this great country
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The freedom and liberty to follow ones dreams and aspirations has always been a defining mark of America. Thomas Jefferson, one of America's founding fathers stated, "All men are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and person as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man." If the high bar placed by Jefferson is to be met, we must be champions for this liberty, whether it is in the private or public sphere. Liberty is not demonstrated or preserved by a single deed, but by a lifestyle. Liberty is truly seen when we realize that the personal worth of our neighbors equals that of our own. It is seen when we stand up for the poor, helpless, and suffering members of society; when our veterans, who so gallantly fought to preserve our freedoms, are cared for; when racism and sexism are countered with acceptance and love; and when our needs become second to the needs of those around us. This is the vision that the founding fathers saw when they formed this great nation; a nation in which all people are endowed with “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The vision has been carried out throughout the history of our nation until today. Now the responsibility falls squarely on our shoulders. Let us then boldly take a stand and strive today for liberty
The freedom and liberty to follow ones dreams and aspirations has always been a defining mark of America. Thomas Jefferson, one of America's founding fathers stated, "All men are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and person as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man." If the high bar placed by Jefferson is to be met, we must be champions for this liberty, whether it is in the private or public sphere. Liberty is not demonstrated or preserved by a single deed, but by a lifestyle. Liberty is truly seen when we realize that the personal worth of our neighbors equals that of our own. It is seen when we stand up for the poor, helpless, and suffering members of society; when our veterans, who so gallantly fought to preserve our freedoms, are cared for; when racism and sexism are countered with acceptance and love; and when our needs become second to the needs of those around us. This is the vision that the founding fathers saw when they formed this great nation; a nation in which all people are endowed with “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The vision has been carried out throughout the history of our nation until today. Now the responsibility falls squarely on our shoulders. Let us then boldly take a stand and strive today for liberty