As we celebrate the July 4th holiday this coming week, I am mindful of that on July 4, 1776, those who signed our Declaration of Independence said and meant it literally, that “we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” At the time of its signing, the war for independence was far from decided in favor of the American colonists. In fact, militarily the British were decidedly winning. Truly, our founding fathers were risking everything for the cause of liberty. Think of how much less is asked of us today.
In honor of our nation’s birthday, I would like to share with you excerpted words spoken by a young President at his inauguration 175 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and some fifty years ago. The speech has several lines that has been immortalized, but its entirety expresses eloquently the essence of the American spirit – that as an American we should believe more than anything else in the last four letters of that title – I can.
“We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forefathers prescribed nearly a century and the three quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans – born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage – and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge – and more…
…In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again – not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need, though embattled we are – but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, ‘rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation’ – a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it – and the glow from that fire can surely light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country…
…Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”
– John F. Kennedy
Next Thursday, as we enjoy the fruits of our freedom amid family and friends, let us devote some time in reverent reflection of those past patriots who mutually pledged to each other and to succeeding generations their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor by acknowledging that we are blessed by their legacy – a country worth sacrificing for.
All we have of freedom- all we use or know – this our fathers bought for us, long and long ago. – Rudyard Kipling
Have an AWE-full Fourth of July Holiday!
William J. “Bill” Bacque’