A few thousand gung-ho Americans won independence from England 238 years ago. That led to the formation of the United States.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution. Resolved: "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved"
Lee's words were the impetus for the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence. After debate by members of the colonies, the writing of the actual document fell on Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Today, the original copy of the Declaration is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and July 4 has been designated a national holiday to commemorate the day the United States laid down its claim to be a free and independent nation.
How can we show our true American blessing? Fly our American flag, and pray for the American military spread out around the world protecting our freedom of independence and our Constitution of the United States of America.
I am a proud member of Sons of the American Revolution.
Noah H. Belew, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
In February 2003, I marched in the anti-Iraq War protests in New York City. By then, I was a retired school teacher and a grandmother.
Estimates of marchers in New York City were over 300,000. The marchers were of all ages, older grandparents and younger families with children. It is estimated that between 6 and 10 million people marched in protests worldwide. It has been called the "largest protest event in human history."
What did it accomplish?
Nothing! President Bush sent troops into Iraq on March 10 that same year. Close to 5,000 American soldiers died; thousands are still dealing with injuries and PTSD. How many Iraqi soldiers? Civilians? Why? If I weren't as old as I am, I would sit down and have a good cry. It was the wrong action to take in 2003.
The chickens have come home to roost. I'm reminded of that Pete Seeger song, "Where have all the flowers gone?" and the ending phrase, "When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?"
– Carolyn Joyce Tokson