As you are taking full advantage of your freedom to do whatever you want to do on hopefully a beautiful sun-drenched Memorial Day, please take the time to remember, honor, and educate your children about those that paid the ultimate price for our liberty. That everyday life in the United States of America was earned and continues to be provided by the American soldier. That these true American heroes tragically don’t always make it home to enjoy the freedom they’ve earned.
My title this week begins the third verse of “America the Beautiful” and is followed by “who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.”
We must remember and share our history with all living in our Nation, so the true sacrifice made for everyday life in America is understood. I want to share with you some presidential quotes and thoughts in reference to Memorial Day.
I will begin with our 40th President, Ronald Reagan. “In our observances this Memorial Day, we honor the brave Americans who paid the highest price for their commitment to the ideals of peace, freedom, and justice. Our debt to them can be paid only by our own recommitment to preserving those same ideals.” If that doesn’t put Memorial Day and our responsibility of remembrance in perspective, I don’t know what does.
I will follow this with more words from President Reagan “I don’t have to tell you tell you how fragile the precious gift of freedom is. Every time we hear, watch or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in the world.” These very timely words not only fit the Reagan Era but the current times we are living in.
Our 35th president, John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address, wanted the world to know the importance of the United States military and our Nation’s commitment to protecting our great land “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
The United States of America has been at war for 227 of the 245 years since its founding in 1776. Our 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, understood what was required to declare and earn our independence and what the future would hold to protect our One Nation Under God. “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” I wish I could see a time in our Nation’s future when we would not be at war.
It is always remarkable to me the foresight our founding fathers had. I feel our first president, George Washington’s, words “Guard against the impostors of pretended Patriotism.” are a perfect follow up to the words of President Jefferson. Obviously, they were spoken before him at Washington’s farewell address.
Many of the challenges facing our Nation’s leadership have existed since the beginning. The men and women of the United States military have always been those fighting in the name of good to protect freedom at home and abroad. It is most important that our leaders understand our Nation was founded in the name of God and must continue to fight in the name of good.
We are so very blessed within our local communities to have great folks that make sure we honor those that have been lost and celebrate their remembrance on Memorial Day. Please, if possible, take the time to attend. Many of the scheduled events can be found in the pages ahead.
Again, I’m gonna run out of column space before I run out of words this week. As we unofficially kick off Summer with our Memorial Day issue featuring Summer Fun, many great things are going on across the West Branch Valley.
The Williamsport Crosscutters, as seen below, will be throwing out the 1st pitch of the season. Make sure you get up to Historic Bowman Field and support the home team. Just wait until you check out the new state-of-the-art scoreboard. Just a heads up, I will be giving some tickets and dinner at the ballpark away next week; make sure you catch the details.
It’s time again to register to win the Great American Cookout; thank you to our partners in the contest, Elery Nau and Rupert Specialty Meats across the bridge in Montoursville and Frosty Beverage down Muncy way. The entry form for the giveaway can be found when you flip the page; I will have more coming up on the event.
I love summertime giveaways. Make sure to check out our Summer Fun and Saving pages 51-61 this week; there is something in there for everybody.
Now, back to the giveaways; there are two legendary coaches within our Summer Fun section, be one of the first three to call me, and win a week at the camp of your choice; of course, this is for the kiddos. If you’re my age, grab something to eat from Rupert’s and a cold beer from Frosty’s. My contact information is always on page 4. Good luck; let’s all be safe out there.
God Bless America.
