Happy Birthday America!
This month we celebrate the liberties and freedoms we enjoy in America! Traveling to Washington, DC on a business trip recently, the history of our country came alive for me in a new and commemorative way. The incredulous buildings, monuments, and awareness of those who came before us were apparent around every corner.

One evening, another author friend and I chose to forego an author's party for a city bus tour of DC instead. I was excited to experience the history of our country in a whole new capacity. The monuments were regal, the fountains majestic, and the legends came alive, as hoped. But I came away with much more than I expected that night.

When our bus stopped at the new World War II Memorial, I particularly noticed an elderly gentleman vacationing with his adult son. Obviously, this was a much anticipated trip for father and son as they carefully maneuvered the extensive walks at each stop, enjoying the views, and grasping the historical magnitude. We came to the World War II monument featuring fountains, waterfalls, and 4,000 gold stars that represented the more than 400,000 who sacrificed their lives in that war.

That's when I noticed the older gentleman -- apparently very moved. Inquisitively, I approached him and asked, "Excuse me, did you serve in World War II?" "Oh, yes, yes I did," he responded as he proudly described the date, location and details regarding his unit.

Feeling a rush of emotion, I immediately stuck out my right hand and said, "Sir, I want to say thank you. You were an instrumental part of making our country the great country it is today. Without you, we wouldn't be here." He looked at me, shook my hand, and softly said, 'thank you.'

But then something happened that I didn't expect. He suddenly buried his face in his hands, overcome with emotion, and sobbed. As he cried, his son began to cry. Soon tears poured down all our cheeks. The unforgettable tender moment represented the pain, the pride, and the loss this hero endured so many years ago -- for us. For you -- and for me.

On that same tour, we visited the Marine Corps Memorial that represents their daunting and challenging effort to victoriously raise the American flag together. Their heroic efforts, too, do not go unnoticed. But the question is, what can we do today?

We too, can raise our flag -- and our hearts -- to a higher level than ever before. Make no mistake, this country was founded on God's principles many years ago. It's up to us to protect that lineage and fight for what's right. We need to put our faces in our hands and weep over the losses in our country... the loss of principles, the loss of integrity (the moral decay we're experiencing), the loss of the love of our church, and over the loss of what's yet to come. We must start making sacrifices of our own and fight for our country. Maybe we won't carry a gun, put on a uniform, or go into combat, but we can raise our flags, place our hands on our hearts, and with our heads lifted high teach our children to proudly profess:

I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands:
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all!

REMEMBER YOUR SOURCE OF TRUE FREEDOM!
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