As we celebrate our Day of Independence let’s remember why we celebrate. It’s not about the fireworks. It’s not about the barbeque or the beer. It’s not about crowding the beaches or the parks.

It’s about when America was born. When as a people we stood up and declared that we would no longer be ruled by tyranny and we could be a free nation, a nation where we would be free to choose our own leaders, to create our own laws.

And yet I am ashamed of the current state of our nation and though I have tried to keep politics out of my blog, today is a day when I think I can speak freely.

We are a nation right now that can do better, better for our Vets, our young, and for those who only ask for basic human rights. We as a nation need to set an example that we are a nation that actually cares and not a nation that believes that our freedom gives us a right to be disrespectful and inconsiderate to others.

All we need is to be understanding of our fellow man.

The President: Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind.

Mankind — that word should have new meaning for all of us today.

We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.

We will be united in our common interests.

Perhaps it’s fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution — but from annihilation.

We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist.

And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:

“We will not go quietly into the night!

We will not vanish without a fight!

We’re going to live on!

We’re going to survive!”

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!