Dear Friends and neighbors,
I wanted to send along my best wishes for a safe and happy 4th of July weekend. I hope you'll take time this weekend to reflect and appreciate the freedoms and blessings we enjoy here in America.
Minnesota's Constitution begins with this preamble:
We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
It's these principles, and the principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution that I hope you'll reflect on this weekend as you enjoy the barbecues, the fireworks, the parades, and the time spent with family and loved ones.
We should also remember the sacrifice and wisdom of our founding fathers whose actions helped create this great nation. I wanted to share this article:
Men Who Paid Freedom's Price; Our nation's founding fathers knew how to count the cost of liberty
On July 4, 1776, there was signed in the City of Philadelphia one of America's historic documents: the Declaration of Independence. It marked the birth of this nation which, under God, was destined for world leadership. We often forget that, in declaring independence from an earthly power, our forefathers made a forthright declaration of dependence upon Almighty God.
The closing words of this document solemnly declare: "With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
The fifty-six courageous men who signed that document understood that this was not just high-sounding rhetoric. They knew that if they succeeded, the best they could expect would be years of hardship in a struggling new nation. If they lost, they would face a hang-man's noose as traitors.
Of the fifty-six, few were long to survive. Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes, from Rhode Island to Charleston, sacked, looted, occupied by the enemy, or burned. Two lost their sons in the army. One had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six died in the war, from its hardships or from its bullets.
Whatever ideas you have of the men who met that hot summer in Philadelphia, it is important that we remember certain facts about the men who made this pledge: they were not poor men, or wild-eyed pirates. They were men of means, rich men, most of them who enjoyed much ease and luxury in their personal lives. Not hungry men, but prosperous men, wealthy landowners, substantially secure in their prosperity, and respected in their communities. But they considered liberty much more important that the security they enjoyed, and they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. They fulfilled their pledge. They paid the price. And freedom was won.
Someone has said, "To be born free is a privilege. To die free is an awesome responsibility."
Yet freedom is never free. It is always purchased at great cost.
Little did John Adams know how significant his words would be when he spoke to his wife Abigail, on the passing of the Declaration of Independence and said, "I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means."
To those who sacrificed for our freedom, the end was worth the painful means. Where would we who are citizens of the United States of America, be today if there had not been those who counted the cost of freedom and willingly paid for it? Where will we be tomorrow if men and women of integrity do not come forward today and pay the price to reclaim a dying America?
~ Author unknown ~
Have a wonderful weekend and May God continue to bless this great nation and our state.
Glenn