Hello to Everyone around the World!
I wanted to remind everyone what makes this day so important, not only in american history, but in the course of action of many nations to follow. Read the words carefully, as these men had great vision for this wonderful nation.

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

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 in the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a 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.

Here is the Declaration of Independence in it's entire form. Everyone should read it on this special day to remember the plan our forefathers envisioned for this great country.

I would also like to thank all the men and women in the armed services, past, present and future, for their dedication and loyalty to the United States of America. Even after 20 years of service to my country, I get "misty" during retreat ceremonies as the flag is brought down for the evening. I remember my comrades in arms, no longer here by my side.

Please remember on this wonderful day... Freedom is not free, nor will it ever be!

Happy 4th of July 2008!