Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July everybody! On this Fourth of July, I have a new appreciation for the independence and freedoms we enjoy, and often take for granted, as Americans. One of the Iraqis I work with said this, “We don’t always like what the U.S. government does and we speak out and complain a lot, but at least now we can complain and we thank you for that.”

Remember that on July Fourth we celebrate the rights and freedoms granted to us as citizens of the United States of America. There is no other country in the world that was built solely on the basis of these principles. There is a reason that millions of people still leave everything they know, sacrifice everything they have, and sometimes risk their lives to enter our country.

Thank the men and women in our armed services, past and present, who defend our country. I am truly humbled by and grateful for the sacrifices made by them and their families. Not only do they protect they way of life that we enjoy, they are working to promote freedom and democracy around the world.

I hope this post lets you pause for just one instant to realize how lucky we really are.

Have a great Fourth of July, and the next time you complain about $4 gas, or what the city council did or didn’t do, remember at least you can complain.