In honor of Independence Day, this week we are going to look into the history of why we celebrate it. Too often it becomes nothing more than a reason to gather with friends and family. The focus is on parades, fireworks and grilling our favorite meat. While that is wonderful, we can easily lose sight of the significance of this important day.

Independence Day, or 4th of July, became a federal holiday in 1941. However even before it was instituted as one, it was still something celebrated back in the 18th century. It was in declaration of the 13 colonies independence from Great Britain. So it has actually been something celebrated in this country since 1776. So what we are really celebrating is the birth of our independence as a country.

When you have never lived in another country or experienced what its like to live in a communist nation, you can easily take for granted the freedoms that we can enjoy here in the United States.

We live in a democratic society, one in which the government is decided upon by “we the people.” We put into position who we want. And when we don’t like what we get, we can only blames ourselves.

If we are going to enjoy an independent country, then we must be well informed before we vote someone into house. We also must make it a priority to learn about the candidates and then choose to get out there and vote. We can’t decide to skip an election and then complain when things are going bad.

Our independence is not something we should celebrate just once a year. It should be a daily celebration. It should be something we never take for granted. And we shouldn’t allow others to take away from what this country was founded on. There are too many silent voices.

As I have said before, I will not be silenced. I will speak up when it is necessary and I will defend this country. I may not do it as the men in women in uniform do, but I do it by honoring my country. I do it by honoring our founding fathers and what they stood for. I do it by exercising my rights as a citizen. I do it by thanking God…yes, GOD for how He has blessed this country.

Independence Day may have passed…but may we never take for granted the freedoms and the independence we have as a nation.

"When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good." – James Monroe