Letter from Jason — Celebrating Independence

Dear Honey Run Friends,

Tomorrow we will celebrate the Fourth of July, a holiday shaped by our country’s rich history and created to remember and celebrate our Independence. We as a country have certainly embraced the “independence” concept, and have even taken it to the extreme as we often do in America. Even as I listen to the news and hear about the Veterans Affairs issues, the IRS scandal, Democrats versus Republicans, Tea party versus the establishment, I am reminded of how incredibly blessed I am to live in a country where I am afforded the right to speak and stand for what I believe in while living in harmony with my fellow citizens. While I do believe we have become a country full of easily-offended people, we have maintained our freedom and independence despite our apathetic ways.

The catch to the word “independence” is as we each contribute our gifts to our society, we must rely on one another and the help of our neighbors in order to realize this freedom and independence. How many of us have actually served in the armed forces or placed our personal independent agenda aside for our country or the safety of our fellow citizens? We would not know this great freedom without the sacrifice and commitment of the thousands of men and women who have honorably served our country so we can live in safety and peace within the borders of our great nation.

So why are so many of us pessimistic about what tomorrow brings? Where is the faith and hope that built this nation into the successful home of innovation and freedom? My fellow Americans, it is time for each of us to stand up and bring back the hope that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. The responsibility for change lies within each of us. While our government officials will govern and lead us, we are the ones who innovate and create the wealth of tomorrow. The moment we realize this and let go of the media gossip and political divisiveness, our great experiment, The United States of America, will begin to rise and reclaim the confidence in our superiority in the world. Do not confuse this superiority and think that we as a people are better than any other soul on earth. What this superiority reflects is that we are willing to work together for a united front.

We have learned how to each give our independent talents for the good of our society to create a living and breathing culture and economy from every culture, religion, and race. We have learned how to coexist among all of God’s people even when we have disagreements, without immediately turning to violence and hatred. We are living the dream of our forefathers and we owe it to our predecessors to make this day and time count and build our country up for the next generation to have the hope and faith that freedom will remain, and that The United States of America is and will remain the greatest nation of individuals united for freedom.

We have had immense disagreements and even a civil war that threatened our united front. But unity prevailed and we have learned from our violent past. During the Civil War one of our country’s great patriotic songs, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, was written and began to take hold amongst our citizens. This song is rumored to have brought tears to President Lincoln’s eyes every time he heard it. I am not far from his sentiment. The lyrics are powerful and the story is rich, as is the tale of the song’s origins.

One of the most beautiful renditions of The Battle Hymn of the Republic was performed by the U.S. Army Chorus, with all living presidents and their wives present and united.

I pray that you have a memorable and thankful day tomorrow observing all of the sacrifices made for your Independence. May God bless each one of you and May God Bless America.

Your fellow hope-filled citizen,
Jason