[July 4, 2024] I’m a patriot. I’m loyal to our Nation. And I make no apologies for it. Period. On this 4th of July, I plan to salute America as I recognize the birth date of the country. To show real patriotism, you must also know about the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence is not a speech. The Declaration is a document of war. It is a vital piece of practical business, not a piece of rhetoric. It begins with preliminary passages about the rights of our citizens. At the heart of the document is a very express and detailed specification concerning the actual public business of the day: the business of 1776.
Liberty does not consist of mere general declarations of peoples’ rights. It includes the translation of those declarations into definitive action. Lawyers call such a document a bill of particulars. For those of us today who dedicate ourselves to the symbolic value of this 1776 Declaration, it remains essential that we understand both those times and how it applies to us today in 2020. Those 244 years have changed us, but the desire for liberty and freedom remains constant.
Patriotism consists of some very practical things. The way to be patriotic in America is not only to love America but to love the duty that lies nearest to our hand and know that in performing it, we are also serving our country. Being patriotic also means to learn the facts of our national life and to face them with candor.
Of late, I hear those who insist that everything is going wrong, while many say everything is going right. I wonder what those crying out that things are wrong are trying to do. Are they trying to serve the country, or are they trying to serve something smaller than the country? Are they trying to put hope into the hearts of citizens who work and toil daily, or are they trying to plant discouragement and despair? If they love America and anything is wrong, it is their business to put their hand with ours to the task of setting it right. It is not patriotic to devise measures against one another; it is patriotic to devise measures for one another.
The Declaration of Independence is not merely a historical document. Since 1776, our independence has been so astonishing that we are one of the greatest nations in the world. But it is one thing to be independent, and it’s another thing to know what to do with your independence.
The world is a complex and challenging place. Yet no one ought to be foolish enough to think they can understand it all. Therefore, I am glad there are some simple things in the world. One of those simple things is principle. Honesty is a straightforward thing. Keeping your promises, telling the truth, and bearing onerous burdens are also simple things.
Those gentlemen who signed their names to the Declaration of Independence were not expecting a holiday the next day. They attached their signatures, knowing that if they failed, it was inevitable that every one of them would hang. They were committing treason in the interest of liberty. All the rest of the world was against and cynically smiled at the audacious undertaking.
Like those who signed the Declaration, my dream is that the world knows more about America and will turn to America for moral inspirations that lie at the basis of all freedom. The world should never fear America unless engaged in some enterprise that is inconsistent with the rights of humanity. I dream of the day when the American flag is the flag of America and humanity.
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NOTE: This article of mine was first published in 2020. Today, I resurrect the article because it was popular, and I’m spending the day with my family. Enjoy!
https://www.theleadermaker.com/the-4th-of-july-practical-patriotism/
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We are all Patriots today! Keep up the faith in America.
Following is quoted from my pastor’s homily this morning:
The immortal words of that document embody what this nation is supposed to be about; “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.” Do we all truly recognize just how revolutionary these words were then and still are today? Why has it been so difficult ensuring their realization for ALL the people of these 50 United States? Greed, fear, ignorance, self-centeredness, tribalism, and xenophobia,
all lie at the heart of this national disability which is in itself a national disgrace.
As the opening words of CONSTITUTION, “in order to form a more perfect union” suggest, we as a nation are very much a work in progress. That these evils persist in however small a minority ( if that be true) is a frustrating stain on the fabric of our country, and many are still being deprived, of life, liberty, and happiness because of it.. This must change, and all of us can pay a significant role by examining our own attitudes and make any necessary adjustments to conform to what is not only enshrined in these documents but more so in God’s will.
Perhaps we are on the threshold of accomplished this Divine mandate. Or maybe this is something we will have to fight for a long time to come. As with all our efforts, may this one be rooted in faith in that Creator who endows all human beings with these UNALIENABLE RIGHTS. Foe as we are reminded in JOHN 15:5, without Him we can do nothing.!
May God’s will be done in us, and through us, so that this one nation under GOD will be a place of liberty and justice that is truly FOR ALL!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, O>S>A>! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
In HIS Love,
Rev. Michael Matveenko
Pastor
Catholic Church Of St. Mary
Cherry Hill, Nj. 08003
Bob, great to hear from you again. Thank you and I hope your wife is better. God Bless you and your family.
Bob MG friend. Glad to see hear from you. Still praying for healing. Excellent comments
Happy Fourth of July …. 🇺🇸
Great things have happened here in America and will continue to do so. We have a messy for of government, one that technically is not a democracy because the majority does not ‘rule’ over the minority like in other forms of democracy. We have a Republic. The reason I mention it, is because we must never forget that we do have a unique form of government and sometimes it creates a chaotic election process like we are going thru now in America. That is the way our govt works sometimes. For all Americans, let us set aside our differences this day and be proud of the fact that we have maintained this republic now since 1776, just two years shy of 250 years. That, my friends, is darn good … darn amazing.
Sadako Red, thank you. Great commmnt.
Sir, as always, thank you for your studious and most useful website, as it benefits us all. But we benefit only if we read, think, and apply your advice. Keep up giving us a daily article for us to ponder. And, BTW, your articles titled “Letters to My Granddaughter” are wonderful and are greatly appreciated. Please Please Please keep going and keep writing. I am mostly entertained but I am also educated. That makes for a good combination.
Indeed! And we are all big fans of Sadako Red too and I hope he writes another article soon.
“Fear, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Islamophobia”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/fear-racism-sexism-homophobia-islamophobia/
AMAZIN’
Good morning to all the patriots here. Love this website by Gen. Satterfield.
Got that right, Bart.
Just a quick note. Happy 4th to everyone here. I’m off today and will be with my family. The best it can be. See you guys tomorrow.
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Tradition matters. The celebration of our Independence Day – July 4th – was initially modeled on that of the British King’s birthday, which had been marked annually by bell ringing, bonfires, solemn processions, and oratory. Such festivals had long played a significant role in the Anglo-American political tradition.
🇺🇸 The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. 🇺🇸
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th
Hi Good Dog, great to see you on Gen. Satterfield’s blog again. Like you, I’m having a BBQ cookout with my family and friends. That is the best of the best for a day off from work and where I can appreciate the freedoms we have in America.
I hope we all can appreciate our independence unlike most of the world. And even when we have a man with no brains or good character left running the country, most of the nation is still working out okay. But only as long as patriots like Gen. Satterfield are here, I have confidence all will be well in the future.
Happy Independence Day, America.
Hi everyone, I am a daily reader yet rarely post. Today I will HAPPY JULY 4th for all Americans.
Patriotism is good for you, your neighborhood/friends/neighbors, and your country. The Republican Party is patriotism. The Democrat Party is EVIL. Let’s be very clear about it and the Democrats are led by a man without good character, and has full blown dementia, and is being led around by his ice cream-addicted brain. Patriots are on the rise.
🇺🇸 Great article, Gen. Satterfield. Thank you. 🇺🇸
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Good comment, Max. Thanks.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!!
📅4️⃣🇺🇸🎆