[July 4, 2021] It seems like a long time ago. Eighty-two years ago this day, July 4th, 1939, Lou Gehrig gave his farewell speech, saying he was the luckiest man on Earth. His speech came just after Gehrig was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, Lou Gehrig was a special man, and he recognized that his accomplishments in life made him something extraordinary for baseball fans like me and a lucky man.
July 4th is a special day for me and also for my family. Part of it is because I first saw Gehrig giving his speech on July 4, 1959, on my family’s black and white Philco television. He inspired me. My dad tells me the story of watching the fuzzy TV tube and scratchy sound of Gehrig, and we all yelled in excitement. Gehrig’s speech was not new, given 20 years earlier, but it was the first time either of us had heard it.
Earlier that same day, my dad and I had spent time with Korean War veterans captivating us harrowing stories of their battles with Chinese troops. The Korean War is often the most often misunderstood war and is called the “forgotten war.” We call it the forgotten war, not because we don’t know of it, but because it was the first war we fought against communist forces, and many in the U.S. wanted to ignore the growing communist problem.
I’m a real baseball fan, not the kind that memorizes stats or the names of every player. I’m not a baseball fan that attends every game of my favorite team or has a jersey with a player’s name on the back. I’m a baseball fan because of men like Lou Gehrig. Our family would watch the World Series played on the one TV channel we could get. Gehrig was an inspiration as a New York Yankee, our favorite team. To me, playing baseball was a form of freedom.
Local veterans would tell us how important baseball was for them while fighting the Chinese. Baseball reminded them of home. Fighting a war in Korea to save the South from being overrun by communists was good for the world. But it was baseball that they loved as much as any human could imagine. It was only on the rarest of occasions; they could hear recorded broadcasts on the radio.
I now associate the 4th of July with baseball and my mom’s pies. Mom made the most delicious pies. My favorite was her pecan pie and also her homemade apple pie. When I think back on those times, remembering Lou Gehrig, baseball, mom’s pies, I also think I am lucky to be born an American. That is one of those important reasons I am an American Patriot and will always be.
I had a great time with family and friends, attended a local parade and fireworks, cooked burgers and dogs on my outdoor grill, and prayed that our nation might come together to resist the effects of the evils of progressivism and marxism.
I’m with you on that Don. I too had a wonder Independence Day.
“We hold this annual celebration to remind ourselves of all the good done in this process of time of how it was done and who did it, and how we are historically connected with it; and we go from these meetings in better humor with ourselves—we feel more attached the one to the other, and more firmly bound to the country we inhabit. In every way we are better men in the age, and race, and country in which we live for these celebrations.” by A. Lincoln.
Happy Independence Day to all.
Thank you and to all here who are true patriots to our nation. There is nothing wrong with nationalism as long as we adhere to our Christian values. Else, we become an evil society like China and like those who are anti-American.
Happy July 4th. I only hope that we all gain a better understanding of what made us a great nation.
Right. Here is a great speech by Pres Ronald Reagan:
“Address to the Nation on Independence Day”
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/address-nation-independence-day
Indeed, we have become a nation of dullards. Unable to hold high thoughts or deep principles but ruled by our passions and our greed. Is there anyone amongst us who can hold a candle to the men of old. Perhaps there are, but our media will silence them, courts will threaten them, and people do not seek them out.
There is plenty of evil in this world and I”m seeing more evil than ever in the Presidency of Biden. He is simply a whisk in the wind being blown around by real communists.
I love this article, Gen. Satterfield. Baseball, homemade pie, and the red, white, and blue. Patriotism is good for you and your community. Support it.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY – to all my family, friends, and those who love America. Like those here on Gen. Satterfield’s leadership forum, I support the traditions that must be respected if we are to survive. Right now there are Marxists attempting to destroy America from within. We cannot allow that to happen. Else we will be just like Communist China, Russia and North Korea. Their peoples’ freedoms are gone forever. And the little wannabe marxists in our school systems is the first place to start pushing back.
Great comment again Max. You are “tha man.” Happy 4th everyone. READ READ and READ more. Learn more. Don’t be taken in by the marxist propaganda from the media. And, boycott companies that are anti-American. Start with Amazon and all the social media giants like Facebook and Youtube.
Hey guys, well said. I’m on the boycott train now. I already cancelled my Amazon account and I don’t do business with most large commercial businesses. I’ve tried to shop local as much as possible.
I’m with you guys.!!!!!!
Any boycott must be focused on only a few businesses at a time. We need a strategy.
Gen. Satterfield, thank you for your patriotism and for supporting those of us who would also label ourselves as Patriots. This site ROCKS.
Ha ,,,, good one. I too am on board with Gen. S. Happy fourth of july.
Yes, and to everyone who is peace loving and independence living. 👍
ahhh, great article on this very special day.