About nine years ago, my wife and I visited her daughter and son in law in Washington D. C. One of the take a ways from that visit was an opportunity to visit the National Bureau of Archives. The Bureau houses many historical documents and among them were: The Magna Carta, The Federalist Papers, The Gettysburg Address and the Summa Theologica. The One that made a profound impression on me was the United States Declaration of Independence.

It was created by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. As I stood there and read the prologue and the names below, I felt as if I was standing on holy ground. Thinking of those brave men who wanted liberty from England, gave me pause to reflect the courage it took to put your their on such a document.

 

     The Prologue says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator certain unalienable rights among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

 

     I love America. I have been a citizen because I was born here. I had one brother who fought in World War 11, another who fought in the Korea War. My son David spent five years in the armed service and my Grandson Ryan spent two and a half years of service in Iraq, and another year in Afghanistan. I am blest because of their service and the service of other brave men and women.

 

      America isn’t perfect. It has its flaws and needs to be corrected when mistakes are made. But I still stand when we sing the National Anthem and take my hat off when the flag passes by in a parade. I still love this country with its warts and all. I hope this Fourth of July we will celebrate the freedoms we have. And take time to reflect on the brave men and women whose bodies lie silent in their graves in Arlington Cemetery. They died for you.

 

Still a Patriot,
Pastor Gene Wells