For the past six to seven years, Americans have celebrated Independence Day with both joy and concern.
Joy, because, for more than 230 years, Americans have had every reason to celebrate the undeniable fact that our nation and our people are still part of the greatest experiment in liberty, “the pursuit of happiness,” and democracy the world has ever seen.
Concern, because of our continued involvement in two wars and because of the terrible toll they have taken on our nation and on our people. One war for a just cause, the other one just because…
Concern, also, because of the dire economic straits we find ourselves in.
This Fourth of July, we are trying to honorably extricate ourselves from one war. The other war, however, is wrenching more and more American blood and treasure. It is also proving to be an onerous task to dig ourselves out of the worst economic crisis in generations.
But this Fourth of July there is also hope.
Hope that the national leaders Americans chose last November will henceforth use diplomacy first to resolve national security issues instead of bravado and bluster; will respect our Constitution, our treaties, human rights and the rule of law; will stem our economic bleeding and fix the causes of the crisis; equally important, that they will heal our internal discord and divisions.
Hope that henceforth Americans will be able to celebrate every Fourth of July once again with joy, pride and confidence—as the United States of America, as the most respected and blessed nation on earth.
Finally, a very special hope for our brave troops who are still in harm’s way.
You are the same magnificent men and women who served so heroically under the previous administration and who are continuing to serve equally heroically under the present administration.
You are the dedicated men and women who, in Iraq, are helping the new administration implement the terms of the agreements negotiated by the previous administration, and who, in Afghanistan, are continuing the just battle that was thrust upon us on 9/11.
I hope that you’ll accomplish your missions quickly and successfully and that God will bring you safely home.
Image Courtesy afrc.af.mil
