Never forget those lost, who gave their lives for this nation, its creation, and its eternal protection.
Never forget those lost, who died from cowardly acts of those who would do us harm for our way of life
Never forget those who strive, everyday, to protect this nation, its people, and its ideals.

232 years ago, men stood up against tyranny, stated their grievances against those who took advantage of them, and eventually brought arms in attempt to secure rights and equality. Our struggle, just and fair, exemplifies the will of the American person. As thousands of people take advantage of the things they have, we must remember that increasingly less people are there too keep this way of life going. This isnt about fireworks, this is about an ideal, a belief, and freedom for every man woman and child, and though we have, and continue to struggle through that defined idea, Americans stand above the rest of the world, leading in fundraising, research and other benefits for the entire human race. We stand to protect humans across the globe, to spread the idea that all people have a say in what they do for life. For 232 years, through the good and the bad, this remains the American ideal.

I actually had the chance to see Mt. Rushmore over the last few days, a wonderful experience, but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the firework display....

I figured that having to park 5 plus miles from the monument, walking all the way their, dealing with hordes of people, and then having to walk back was way to much for a momument I had seen the day before...



This nation stands for many ideals, but lets us remember these three especially, Unity, Equality, and Democracy...that is what America strives to preserve; and through the valiant efforts of many men and women, we have striven closer to perfecting these ideals, and lets us strive forward, so that America can stand as a beacon, helping those oppressed who wish to stand tall.

If I was back home right now I would be watching the famous Chicago Navy Pier fireworks show...claimed #1 in the US by many sources!

I'm pretty sure they use over 5000 shells.

This post has been edited by Zhoenix360: Jul 3 2008, 09:27 PM

Amen to that. I salute all of those valiant men and women, past and present, may they serve as an example to us all. *Salutes*

"Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being." - Kahill Gibran, "The Voice of the Poet"
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill
"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Courage and perserverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air." - Joh Quincy Adams
"The real and lasting victories are those of peace and not of war." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Freedom is something the protected take for granted." - Ed W. Freeman

Some things that ought to be kept in mind each day you are a U.S. Citizen...

"The means of defense against foreign danger have historicaly become the instruments of tyranny at home."
- James Madison

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin

"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."
- John Adams

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks."
- Samuel Adams

"If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws — the first growing out of the last.... A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government."
- Alexander Hamilton

"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories."
- Thomas Jefferson

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine (Ironicaly he said this on September 11, 1777...)

"Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party generally.... A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."
- George Washington

We should keep in mind that when all is said and done my fellow citizens, some of us may not like each other, some of us may barely agree on anything, but that we are all Americans first and party affilliations/political leanings/race/etc. second. And so long as we are citizens we are all heirs to the same legacy.

This post has been edited by Gai Murakumo: Jul 3 2008, 10:16 PM

happy birth day usa

Indeed! May July 4th be celebrated for many more years to come.

Our state has existed for 232 years and our Constitution has existed for 221 years. In fact, is there any regime (that currently exists) that is older than ours?

Happy 4th of July, I wonder what I'm doing today.

America f*ck friken yay!! My bro comes home on a 2 week leave today!!!!!!(not till 10:00pm though)

"united we stand divied we fall"
"one nation under god"

My two fav qoutes about this kickass country and i dont care what the rest of the world says about us. We are whiling to die for other countrys freedoms.

(even though we get a bit to cocky about that)

Happy 4th of July.
Probably gonna go see the fireworks downtown.

Amen.

Happy 4th everyone.

The important thing to remember is that those regimes that no longer stand, could very well be our fate someday if we don't learn from what happend to them. The Roman Republic stood for 450 years, before becomming the Roman Empire we're all familiar with.

Let's not get lazy because we've been around for awhile.

Those are good words of wisdom.

Happy 4th everyone....

Happy 4th all! Go out and celebrate, but do so responsibly...


Here's to the originals!

Yeah the 13 originals woo-hoo!!!!! New york is the 11th.

Happy fourth of July.

Just wish I didn't have to work today so I could attend a party.

Hey have you found the city of gold that nicolas cage is talking about??

BTW: happy 4th of july guys.. /no1

Happy 4th! Never forget the millions who died over the years for the good of this nation.

I'm seeing the US Naval Academy's fireworks tonight.

The other "original":

'xD



So at the day of independence itself (4 July 1776), we were actually saluting that flag. "The Stars and Stripes [the flag from quoted post] was born on 14 June 1777" - also according to the US Army Field Manual for Drill and Ceremony.

That little "history" lesson aside (I am a Color Guard commander after all ) Happy 4th of July to everyone! Not only a victory for America, but all supporters of John Locke's philosophies on natural rights!

This post has been edited by Equitas Invictus: Jul 4 2008, 05:39 PM

Have a great 4th of July, and remember the sacrifices of those who have preserved liberty.

John Wayne: "America: Why I Love Her."

This post has been edited by DerKrieger: Jul 4 2008, 07:07 PM