I hope you enjoyed all the celebrations of our 250th birthday as much as I did.
The parades, festivities and fireworks across the country, including a few speeches, were proof of an observation by Will Rogers, “America is the land of opportunity and don’t ever forget it.” (DT#1541, July 1, 1931)
Will Rogers loved America. “I was always proud in America to own that I was a Cherokee and I find on leaving there that I am equally as proud to own that I am an American.” (Letter to his father Clem, Sept. 28, 1903)
But Will reminded us a few times about our sad treatment of Cherokees and other Indians, including cheating on treaties, forced evacuation from home territories, discrimination against individuals, and lack of respect for accomplishments by Indians. He did all he could to promote and build up individual Indians and African-Americans in movies and newspaper articles.
(In case you are wondering, Will was in Europe the summer of 1926, so he missed our 150th year celebration on July 4. He wrote nothing about it.)
“The American people are a very generous people and will forgive almost any weakness, with the possible exception of stupidity.” (WA #63, Feb. 24, 1924) Now, I don’t mean to complain about the festivities last night in Washington. If you watched, you know that President Trump gave a speech followed by fireworks.
Here’s my complaint, solely on behalf of four singers from the military. Imagine this conversation a month ago: the Organizer, to the singers, “We’re delighted to have your beautiful voices entertain millions on July 4 along with the President’s speech and the largest, loudest fireworks in U.S. history.” The singers asked, “We’re honored. Will we be singing before or after the Fireworks?” Organizer, “During.”
What?? Sing for 45 minutes DURING the Fireworks? With 850,000 shells exploding at 150 decibels?
I’ll credit the singers, and the military band. Concentration and ear plugs got them through the torturous setting. Young folks in the front rows could hear them sing, and often sang and danced along with them, oblivious to the largest Fireworks ever.
The highlight of President Trump’s speech was recognition of historic flags displayed and introducing Veterans, as old as 107, on stage to salute those flags. He also reminded us that our rights do not come from government, they come from God. And our best days are ahead of us!
This positive, optimistic message was the opposite of a couple of prominent speeches and attitudes of too many Americans who let day-to-day politics determine their level of patriotism. For those who claimed they are not patriotic this 250th year, I would ask, Were you patriotic in our 247th year? Or 237th?
Love of our country should not change by the month or year. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution a few years later provide a rock-solid foundation for our Republic to endure and keep improving. Our freedom of speech allows anyone to offer crackpot ideas. Some of ‘em even get elected.
Historic quote by Will Rogers:
“When those Boys that blue-printed the first Constitution decided that a man can believe what he likes in regard to religion, that’s one line that is going to stay put.” WA #136, July 19, 1925