"The Tree Of Liberty Must Be Nourished From Time To Time With The Blood Of Tyrants and Patriots." --Thomas Jefferson

"Patriotism Is A Virtue Of The Vicious!" --Oscar Wlide

On the 4th of July, will that mean

only fireworks and BBQs to you?

Do you not understand that the 4th

is rightfully America's Day In The Sun?

Will those whom have shed their blood

in places from Valley Forge to Kabul

have their sacrifices be forgotten

in the fog of patriotic one-upsmanship?

Have we truly forgotten that in our great land,

our way means fair play for all who are here?

Have we let a "my way or the highway" attitude

infect our love for the land we love and live in?

Have we allowed ourselves to be deluded into thinking

that America's Way is The Only Way life should be...

believing it so much that we seek out new enemies

to lay waste to in the Name of God and Country?

Heady subjects to think about, most certainly...

but as our country celebrates another year,

we must remember that July 4th is not really

celebrated with fireworks and chilled beer.

No, July 4th is a time to honor America's past

while looking forward to the glorious future ahead.

It's America's Day for a place in the loving sun,

even as we remember those who fought died, and bled.

So, Happy Birthday, America--it's your day today.

Let freedom ring and our flag long-and-truly wave.

For we prefer to live as a true-and-noble Free People

than in chains under the rule of a despot as their slave!

--RKJ