… which appears to be more fragile as each day passes!
We’re now approaching the end of what is the “Patriotic season” of the year … which begins in mid-May with Armed Forces Day, followed by Memorial Day, then Flag Day in mid-June, now followed by the newly-added federal holiday Juneteenth on the 19th of June … culminating in what we consider our country’s birthday, Independence Day, on July 4th!
All of these special days on the calendar are about celebrating, honoring, and the ongoing fight to preserve that which we have come to cherish — called democracy — here in the U.S. of A.
And, with the citizens of Canada, living by the same principles as we do and celebrating that nation’s birthday on July 1st, I chose to include their flag as well.
This year, if my math is correct, we here in the United States are marking its 246th birthday, while Canada celebrates the 155th anniversary of its birth, dated to the signing of the Confederation of Canada on July 1st, 1867.
Our nation’s Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, contains this statement:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights … that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness
They are all the right words, and yet without a healthy measure of Love and Respect for all humans without regard for any differences which exist … we will never have this “perfect Union,” as called for in the Constitution of the United States of America!
Even though the founding fathers wrote and endorsed those words, a number of them did not live by them … nor have too many of us over the succeeding 246 years since, including so many who have served in the hallowed halls of our Nation’s Capital!
As we go forward and get past these stressful times, let’s join hands and build a world that is truly better for us all.
Love … Harmony … Honesty … Integrity
There is only one way to sign off this message, and that’s with the words of this profound song written by Jill Jackson-Miller in 1955 …
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
Love … Harmony … Honesty … Integrity
Will you join me in living up to this challenge? And let it begin with me!
Calling attention to the July 4th holiday reminds us of the inclusion of patriotic songs each and every holiday when we presented your music on KOIT, KIRO-FM, and KSEA. Sure would be nice to find a radio station doing that at the time.
Thanks, Dick … those were great years when we worked together to bring great music to so many happy listeners!