America

*“My Country Tis of Thee, sweet land of Liberty”
*“My Native Country Thee”
We recently traveled across several northwest states as we have done numerous times in the past few years. One doesn’t have to travel far across any part of our wonderful United States to be aware of the bounteous earth in all of its varieties and terrain. From the desert beauty of the southwest and through the mid states and into the northern states what grandeur awaits our eyes and our hearts. As we traveled I reflected upon the verdant farms and small and large settlements along the way. I thought of the labor of the farmers and other workers as they have labored to build and to plant and to care for the land and its animals and other things that sustain our lives and provides for our general welfare. I also ref-lected on the industry and efforts of so many to provide roads and hospitals and schools and retail and other businesses and industries to sustain our capitalistic economy. We are a blessed nation and many wonderful productive people still live here. Some of our large corporations have moved out of country to make even larger profits. They have forsaken America for more money. Many businesses have remained here and have paid family wages and have made lesser of a profit, but by staying, they have made and continue to make America great. The innovation and energy of the American people will long sustain them as they continue to give their best efforts in their work and service. May we all do our part to keep us free!
*“Our Father’s God to Thee” Author of Liberty;”
*To Thee We Sing”
*“Protect us by thy Might, Great God our King”

*Text: Samuel F. Smith, 1808-1895

Liberty

Liberty*: right to choose: the freedom to think or act without being constrained by necessity or force.

The colonists in the early 1770’s were quickly loosing their liberty. The ‘crown’ had initiated laws and taxes that were burdensome to these new free spirited Americans. After no redress of their grievances was found, the leaders of this promised land adopted the “Declaration of Independence”. War was declared and a rag tag group of undisciplined and unprepared men and women took on the greatest army and navy in the world. George Washington led this army. He felt that the ‘Hand of Providence’ would see them through. Suffering and defeat occurred at almost every hand. How could liberty be won?
Every American should study and come to know how this country won its independence.
It matters not what religion or culture you are a part of, you can know that a Supreme Being had a hand in the outcome of this world changing event.
While we ‘bask’ in the ‘liberty’ where in we are made free may we never forget the ultimate sacrifices of those who helped fulfill the destiny of this great nation, “Under God”!

Daughter catches a Pike