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Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Posted: 4 years ago
Hi everyone -
Today is a holiday and offers me the opportunity to actually stop and focus on the real time rather than at the hurried pace I mostly maintain in my life. So, I offer some thoughts for discussion as I read the paper, watch the specials on TV, see the men & women in our community participate in the celebrations and remember all that still goes on around us but tends to be at the side of our thoughts when we are not directly affected.
I find myself measuring our world today and the continued aging of our country. We are blessed to belong to a great nation and today provides us an opportunity to celebrate our land, our freedom, and our future.
At the same time, our freedom comes from those who have pledged to support us and cannot be with us at this time - they are stationed around the country and overseas. Some have left our world and I'm sure there are many loved ones thinking of them today. My own family was fortunate - I had 4 uncles each who served in a different branch of the military - all returned home during wars; several cousins were also lucky to come home and regain their lives.
We have had many wars and many casualties; but, we have also gained in measures we don't always reflect upon nor do we always remember to thank those who have returned safely to live among us once again.
And, as the world progresses, we have made great strides this year; we have witnessed the introduction of equality in our lives (though we still have a ways to go) in our Presidential race and the opportunity for individuals to speak up and share their belief in something - a feat that sometimes get lost as we concentrate on the day to day grind.
So, today I wish you health, happiness, and joyous times with your family - and a reminder (especially to myself) that the world passes by awfully quickly and we must take the time, more than once a year, to celebrate, express, and believe.
Happy 4th everyone!
Sher
Posted: 4 years ago
Sher,
It was nice of you to take the time in your busy schedule that we have much for which we should be thankful. I read in the newspaper today that we should celebrate everyday as a 4th of July day. Now, that is a thought!
Frank
Posted: 4 years ago
Sher,Thank you for posting such an eloquent piece. Yes, we are truly fortunate to be able to live in this great land of the free. To all our Rotarian Veterans, thank you for your service to our Country. This Fourth of July was an especially memorable one for me. I, along with about a dozen of Veterans from the San Juan Capistrano VFW - Veterans from WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War - had the privilege and honor to host a luncheon for two recent returning Iraq War Veterans. Purple Heart recipients, Sgt. Silva and Cpl. Mencke are with the 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton. Sgt. Silva was hit with an IED in August of 2007. The explosion caused permanent blindness to both his eyes. Cpl. Mencke was also injured during this explosion. However, in spite of their challenges, these Marines are high spirited, motivated, and optimistic. My throat closed up, when these two men lead the entire community of San Juan Capistrano to the Pledge of Allegiance during the City's 4th of July ceremony.Yes, all of you who have served our country with duty, honor, and valor are my Heroes. To this end, I salute all of you.