Happy July 4th everyone.

[hendrixfreak70]

I just wanted to take a moment and reflect upon what makes us as a people great. There are many veterans on MyHattiesburg, and there are even more people who support us, usually no matter the consequences. 232 years and 2 days ago, our future founders embarked upon a journey that would inevitably lead to our nation as we know it. We have been through some growing pains and we will no doubt continue to. As you go about your day, think about the things that make this country work. It's not politicians, it's not large corporations, it's us. Policemen, firemen, truckers, blue collar workers, locally elected officials, and countless other professions make us who we are. Without each other, this thing we have wouldn't work. Today isn't just a day to thank veterans for independence, it's also a day to thank those who support our independence and that's not limited to just the military. Enjoy today (not just because you're off work) but enjoy it because we are free to do so.

[Fire Extinguisher]

Every one have a happy and safe 4th.

[g8rfan]

http://www.greatestcities.com/8383pic/377/CP25377.jpg/AmericanFlag.jpeg

One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One Nation Evermore! -Oliver Wendell Holmes

[Checkers Boy]

Thanks hendrix.

On the fourth, I'm proud of us, as America. We're not that old of a country, and look at where we are, politics aside.

Last night at work, having to endure the music on 106.3, I was pleasantly surprised and uplifted when at 12am, July 4th, they played our National Anthem performed by Boyz 2 Men. I stood, hat over heart for the duration of the song and reflected on what it must have been like to take that leap of faith in ourselves and our faith in a higher order; that we should be a separate and equal country. Needless to say, I filled with pride at the thought, and reverent, overwhelming appreciation, for those who have given their time and lives to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today.

Tonight, when I'm with family, enjoying my first July 4th off in recent memory, I will again reflect on what it means to be American, and what those who have gone before us have sacrificed in order for us to be who we are.

It would do us all good to read, if not again, for the first time, the document (http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm) that has shaped our modern world:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

[hendrixfreak70]

Thank you Checkers, today is the day to reflect our values and the things that make us strong. Great post.

[proud MS-ian]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb218/commentsjunkie/4th%20of%20July/usa3ku0.gif

[jojobeans1120]

I just wanted to take a moment and reflect upon what makes us as a people great. There are many veterans on MyHattiesburg, and there are even more people who support us, usually no matter the consequences. 232 years and 2 days ago, our future founders embarked upon a journey that would inevitably lead to our nation as we know it. We have been through some growing pains and we will no doubt continue to. As you go about your day, think about the things that make this country work. It's not politicians, it's not large corporations, it's us. Policemen, firemen, truckers, blue collar workers, locally elected officials, and countless other professions make us who we are. Without each other, this thing we have wouldn't work. Today isn't just a day to thank veterans for independence, it's also a day to thank those who support our independence and that's not limited to just the military. Enjoy today (not just because you're off work) but enjoy it because we are free to do so.


Amen, very well said. No one could have said it better!!!!! Good job, HF!!!!
Happy Fourth to you and yours as well, my friend, and thanks for what you have done for this wonderful nation of ours as well!!!!!!! :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

[politically incorrect]

Even with $4 gasoline, we still are blessed to live in the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave! God Bless America and all of those men and women serving in the armed forces to keep our freedom!

[betsy]

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Fourth. I am glad we here at MH are not just thinking about having a break from work or barbeque but are thinking about the true meaning of this holiday. May we soon have peace so that our men and women will be able to come home safe to our open arms.

[damnyank]

Two of my favorites:

http://www.poofcat.com/blesusa.html

http://home.comcast.net/~nw-fla/tribute_flag_B_thompson.htm

Ya'll be safe and enjoy the 4th!

[Luvia]

THE 4TH OF JULY

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men

who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,

and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or

hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,

and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants,

nine were farmers and large plantation owners;

men of means, well educated,

but they signed the Declaration of Independence

knowing full well that the penalty would be death if

they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and

trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the

British Navy. He sold his home and properties to

pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British

that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.

He served in the Congress without pay, and his family

was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,

and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,

Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that

the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson

home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General

George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,

and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.

The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill

were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests

and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his

children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and

silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many

people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism

is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer,

picnics, and baseball games.




No idea where this came from...came to me in an email. Not sure that all the facts are 100% either. I still liked it though.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Have a wonderful, happy, safe and meaningful fourth!

[hendrixfreak70]

No idea where this came from...came to me in an email. Not sure that all the facts are 100% either. I still liked it though.


Most of it is true, some of it is exaggerated too. :clap:

[thornton04]

HAPPY 4TH of JULY!!!

http://floatingaway.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/fireworks1.jpg

[jmb]

Happy 4th!!! :wave:

[MamaTyson74]

Happy 4th everyone!!

[hendrixfreak70]

Hooah!!

[jbrack]

Happy 4th and be safe!:smt001

[Echo Four Bravo]

I have always loved discovering the lesser-known stories behind our history. The story we all know is amazing on its own, but the details that have been cast off down through the years, are equally as interesting to me. The group of visionaries who came together to form a new nation, based on the thirst for freedom, posessed astounding courage, wisdom, faith and foresight. There are many tales of ordinary people, who, in their own right, contributed to the birth of our nation. My point is; just as it was then, today we all are a part of the ongoing story of our great nation. We owe it to those that came before us to be more than just occupants. Take part, in one way or another to make us better.
Happy Independance Day.

[hendrixfreak70]

Semper Fi!

[Echo Four Bravo]

Semper Fi!
Oooohrah!