There has been way too much negativity across our Nation in the last year, we need to leave it in the past and move forward full speed ahead. The United States of America is truly the greatest shining light of freedom and opportunity the world has ever seen. Our One Nation Under God must remember its roots and refocus on what’s most important. We must return to our Judeo-Christian values on which our Nation was founded. We must become selfless and reunited for the common good. We must work hard together to earn our future.
 

We the People have been segregated and divided into many groups and causes in recent years. Any time you put one issue or one’s issue ahead of what is good for the Country and distort the Constitution, you’re heading down a primrose path.

Independence Day, the 4th of July, celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence. This accomplished by the Continental Congress in the city of Philadelphia on July 4th of 1776.
There was great division prior to its signing on whether to even move forward and leave Great Britain behind. It took great diplomacy and leadership, much by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to accomplish this. The final piece of the 13-colony puzzle was when Virginia was convinced to sign the Declaration of Independence. Virginia had the largest and strongest military. They had the most weaponry. The Revolutionary War just didn’t happen with all in agreement.

Delegate John Dickerson of PA refused to sign the document over his fear of retaliation by King George and his European Allies. Once united under the grace of God and for the good of the people, our over matched military overcame unbelievable odds against a much stronger opponent to achieve our sovereignty.

  The document that is the Declaration of Independence, with all those legendary signatures of our founding fathers, should never be viewed as anything but a miracle created by true patriots. We must learn from our history who we are, where we came from, and about the world prior to the Revolutionary War.  Then, and only then, can present day citizens understand the significance and greatness of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America.

I have no doubt the hand of God guided our founding fathers in the penning of both. They truly understood the pathway to freedom not only then but for the future. They also had the complete foresight of where the threats against our Nation’s liberty would come from in the centuries ahead. Here are a couple quotes and thoughts exemplifying their understanding.

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” Benjamin Franklin

“Power is not alluring to pure minds.” Thomas Jefferson

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people”. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams

George Washington warned against the 2-party system that would result in the trampling of the Constitution and lead to one party controlling all 3 branches of government.   This accomplished for selfish reasons by the crooked.  His fear was that our Nation would be ruled against the beliefs of “We the People” and the Constitution in favor of the elitism representing the minority.

As you celebrate our Nation’s independence, please remember who has made it all possible since the first shot was fired. The American soldier covered by the Grace of God.

My staff and I love doing contests and give-a-ways at the Webb Weekly.  It’s a great way to meet and greet so many of you that read our publication. We are always very humbled by the amount of people that enter the contest and actually bring the entry forms into the office. This year’s Great American Cookout Giveaway was no different.

A tip of my Webb Weekly cap with the American Flag on the side to those that provide the great prizes for the giveaway!  Gary Oechler and the great people at Elery Nau Hardware who provide the Kenmore 4 burner grill. I am so glad they put it together so it’s ready for delivery. 

Mikey and his gang at Rupert’s Specialty Meats for providing whatever you want to throw on the grill. And ol’ Chet Ruth, down at Frosty Beverage for the ice-cold drinks of your choice. Both family owned all-American businesses provide $50 gift cards to the winner.

So, now for the drum roll and the big announcement.   This year’s Great American Cookout winner is Southside’s very own Jacob Hamilton. Congrats from all of us.  We will make sure Jacob has the grill prior to the 4th of July and snap a picture to share with you next week.

Get out and about and enjoy all the wonderful area we call home has to offer this 4th of July weekend.   Please make sure you don’t miss the return of the bombs bursting in air over the Susquehanna River set to music by the good folks at Backyard Broadcasting. 
 

Let’s all be careful out there and keep an extra eye out for the kids and their summer safety.

God Bless America.