Daily Mood Quote
Day 61 – July 4, 2011
“But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we cannot hallow-this ground. The brave men, living in dead, who have struggle here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”
~Abraham Lincoln (November 19, 1863)
The Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863 and by July 4th, the battle was over, the tide of the American Civil War was turned and the Union would be preserved. This was the second July 4th, that marked a milestone in preserving and protecting the freedoms which we currently enjoy. The cost to our nation to preserve those freedoms has been enormous and stretches all the way back to 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
There are people inside and outside our country who believe that everything we have as a nation has either been given to us, or we have taken it without cost. Nothing could be further from the truth. One only needs to walk through Gettysburg National Battlefield, or Arlington National Cemetery to understand how much has been given, by so many, for the ideals of Freedom and Liberty. Somewhere, someone said, “Freedom isn't free.” and we need to remember that on this day.
When I began this blog today, my intent was to ensure it was not a political statement of any type, but an expression of gratitude to those who have struggled and died, that have created the conditions where I can sit and write this blog. I am thankful..
In the movie Independence Day President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) in his “inspirational” speech before the human counter offensive spoke a simple truth: “"Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests”. That is something we also tend to forget. Our world is small, our differences large, but we are all human and all living on a tiny, shiny globe that's pretty much an island in a vast, empty sea. The Internet has brought us closer together and provided us (regular people) new insights into how others in our world live and think. We all need to remember, what we have should not be taken for granted. Happy 4th of July.
What will you be “thankful” for today?
Tune in tomorrow to read the daily mood quote
Thank you for reading
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