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What July Fourth Means to Me

7/3/2013

11 Comments

 


By: Ronald Reagan     From: Parade Magazine

Reagan 4th of July
For Independence Day 1981, Parade Magazine asked President Ronald Reagan to write an article which he entitled, "What July Fourth Means to Me."  

He wrote it in his own words, with his own hand.  

Here is an excerpt from the article President Reagan wrote:

"There is a legend about the day of our nation's birth in the little hall in Philadelphia , a day on which debate had raged for hours. The men gathered there were honorable men hard-pressed by a king who had flouted the very laws they were willing to obey. Even so, to sign the Declaration of Independence was such an irretrievable act that the walls resounded with the words 'treason, the gallows, the headsman's axe,' and the issue remained in doubt."

"The legend says that at that point a man rose and spoke. He is described as not a young man, but one who had to summon all his energy for an impassioned plea. He cited the grievances that had brought them to this moment and finally, his voice falling, he said, 'They may turn every tree into a gallows, every hole into a grave, and yet the words of that parchment can never die. To the mechanic in the workshop, they will speak hope; to the slave in the mines, freedom. Sign that parchment. Sign if the next moment the noose is around your neck, for that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the Bible of the rights of man forever.'"

"He fell back exhausted. The 56 delegates, swept up by his eloquence, rushed forward and signed that document destined to be as immortal as a work of man can be. When they turned to thank him for his timely oratory, he was not to be found, nor could any be found who knew who he was or how he had come in or gone out through the locked and guarded doors. 

"Well, that is the legend. But we do know for certain that 56 men, a little band so unique we have never seen their like since, had pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Some gave their lives in the war that followed, most gave their fortunes, and all preserved their sacred honor."  (Parade Magazine, June 1981)

I love this “legend” because countless, nameless people over the years have had to summon “all their energy” to make an “impassioned plea” for freedom.  Each of us has an important part to play.  And if we do our best, freedom will prevail!

This is a wonderful time of year to read this article with our children, discuss with them what July 4th means to us, and write down what we think -- just like President Reagan! 


Here is a link to the whole article:  “What July Fourth Means to Me”  It's awesome!


And here's a video of President Reagan's 1986 Independence Day speech.







11 Comments
Irene Morris
7/4/2013 04:57:07 am

Couldn't you just cry for our country?

Reply
Patriotic Moms
7/4/2013 04:23:33 pm

Yes, Irene, but I have hope for the future if we trust in God and do our best.

Reply
Christina
7/5/2013 01:49:57 am

Yes, I could and have. It is very sad what our nation has become. I prayed very hard for us all last night. I am hoping for some good news for a change.

Reply
JEANETTE LEONARD link
7/4/2013 05:37:20 am

YES I COULD CRY EVERY DAY OVER THE STATE OF OUR COUNTRY, THAT IT TOOK SO MANY GOOD MEN TO ESTABLISH HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT OUR LEADERS GETTING IT UNDER CONTROL AGAIN AS IT WAS MENT TO BE I FEAR SOON (PROBABLY NOT IN MY LIFETIME) THERE WILL BE NO AMERICA AND ALL DUE TO GREED AND POWER HUNGRY POLITICIANS THINKING ONLY OF THEMSELVES WHAT IS IN IT FOR THEM NOT TRYING TO ESTABLISH WHAT IS BEST TO KEEP AMERICA A COUNTRY EVERY ONE CAN BE PROUD OF!!!

Reply
Patriotic Moms
7/4/2013 04:27:19 pm

It's hard to understand how our leaders could have any understanding of our history and heritage and do the things they do. But I believe our future is the hands of patriotic moms who are raising the next generation of young Americans.

Reply
Christina
7/5/2013 01:53:46 am

You know, it seems there are so many of us out there that are against this current state of America. Why is it that we seem to have no voice? Why do WE have no say-so about our future? I vote and it seems like it is all for naught. Surely there is something that can be done!

Margaret Carey
7/4/2013 07:00:27 am

The last " Great American President " I'm sorry to say that we as Americans can no longer claim that we are proud defenders of freedom. A whole new liberal way of thinking has taken America down, and we are over, finished, done etc. I'm not being negative, it's just fact. The Lord God Almighty has revealed all of these facts to us in the only true word, the bible. The only thing to do now is pray for redemption, so that when they come to cut your head off that, God will help us to endure. Praise God!!!

Reply
Patriotic Moms
7/4/2013 04:29:21 pm

Thank goodness for prayer!

Reply
ScarletRose
7/4/2013 10:09:32 am

Thank God for President Ronald Reagan.
America needs to turn again to the values of the Founding Fathers, and deal honestly with God through such verses as 2 Chronicles 7 and Joel 2 and Psalm 91 and Daniel 9 - to fall on our faces (2 Chron.7:14) and beg His forgiveness, repent of the sins of America, ourselves, and our families tribes and communities, and ask His Divine Forgiveness and Restoration TO RIGHT STANDING WITH HIM. God help America.

Reply
Patriotic Moms
7/4/2013 04:32:39 pm

Yes! President Reagan relied on God's help and our country was blessed with great miracles. May we turn to Him with all our hearts!

Reply
Patriotic Moms
7/7/2013 08:05:39 am

Thanks so much for commenting, Christina! Here are some ideas for making a difference. When we each do our part, we can change the course of history.

If you don't see anything you can use here, go to the upper right- hand corner of the screen where it says "search" and type in "making a difference" and there are a number of helpful ideas.

If we are faithful and full of faith we will be guided in our efforts. :)

http://www.patrioticmoms.com/1/post/2013/03/what-can-i-do-for-america.html

Reply



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