Monday's Internet Edition, October 13, 2008.
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- July 4th isn’t just a day off. It’s more than barbecues and parties. The Fourth of July is a time to renew your gratitude for your good fortune to be living in the greatest country in the world. As many have observed, one indicator of what makes a country great is the number of people who want to get in versus how many want to leave. By just this measure alone, America is number one!
Many people take all our country has to offer for granted. In America, we have more rights, freedom, and opportunity than anyplace else. Some focus on finding fault with America rather than treasuring all that is good here. Our country may not be perfect, but it is by far, the best place to live. Even the most vociferous, vocal, and vehement critics choose to stay here rather than leave.
We become spoiled by all of the freedoms we have. However, freedom isn’t free. You have to take care of your country. The well being of America is your responsibility. You must be a participant in our great democracy. You can’t abdicate this responsibility to others. Apathy empowers those with self-serving goals to decide your fate.
If you feel something is wrong, don’t just complain and criticize. Find a better way. Work for solutions. America was built by people who wanted an improved quality of life, not by whiners. If you don’t speak up, who will? Our government was never intended to take care of you. Rather you must take care of your government.
You have more freedom and rights than in any other nation. Should you have any doubts, visit any other country. When you return home, you will have a renewed appreciation for America. Should you feel there is someplace better, you have the freedom to move there.
It’s your obligation to vote, not just a right. Throughout our history, hundreds of thousands have given their lives to ensure your ability to live free. Voting is a precious gift, don’t squander it.
America was founded on the principle that anything is possible. There are no problems we can’t solve. We exist today because in 1776, a band of farmers didn’t believe in the word impossible. They risked everything, including their lives, to form a country with freedoms never before known in history.
In America, the only guarantee is opportunity! You have the opportunity to succeed. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. However, you are not entitled to success nor are you entitled to what someone else has. Accomplishments take effort. There are no shortcuts. If you are willing to do what it takes, you can bring your dreams to reality.
Because you have so many freedoms, you need to take personal responsibility for your well being. There are countries where the government supposedly takes care of all the needs of the people. But these are the same places where people are trying to get out, rather than in.
Independence Day is a time to celebrate America’s greatness. Only because so many have contributed so much, in so many ways, have we been able to become so strong. Our strength is an asset, not something to condemn. That’s why America is first on the scene with the most aid when disaster strikes another country.
So every day, not just on the Fourth, be appreciative that you live in America. Don’t take for granted what people in other countries can only dream about. Be proud to be an American!
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
In case you haven’t noticed while driving down Broadway, there’s a new business in town. Unique Furniture and Gifts is open for business next to Lomax Laundramat and Avey and Oliria are anxious for you to come by and see the nice home décor items and furniture. They have started small but are adding new items each week. They have limited hours at present, but no doubt will increase those as their business grows. They are open from 10 to 1 and from 3 to 5.
It’s always exciting to see a new business open up in our small town!
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Sheila Gilmore, in cooperation with the Library, is helping challenge children in the community, as well as adults, to read this summer. Be sure and check out the list of recommended books, by age category, at the Library. Those who read all the books on the list for their particular age will be recognized at the end of summer in the Advocate. To help get your interest up, Sheila is doing some book reviews which we are printing in the Advocate as space permits. READING - what a great way for children to pass those long days of summer! And we’re fortunate, as a small town, to have a good library here.
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1. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.
2. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century. The Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and explosives.
3. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U.S. Congress didn’t adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.
4. There are many precise rules for taking care of the American flag. And speaking of flag traditions, we’re sorry to report that contrary to legend, historical research has failed to confirm that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.
5. Not all members of the Continental Congress supported a formal Declaration of Independence, but those who did were passionate about it. One representative rode 80 miles by horseback to reach Philadelphia and break a tie in support of independence.
6. The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.
7. The American national anthem, the “Star-Spangled Banner,” is set to the tune of an English drinking song (“To Anacreon in Heaven”).
8. The iron framework of the Statue of Liberty was devised by French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who also built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
9. The patriotic poem “America the Beautiful” was published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates.
10. Father of the country and architect of independence George Washington held his first public office at the tender age of 17. He continued in public service until his death in 1799.
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Thought for the Week.......(author unknown)
That land is great which knows the Lord,
Whose songs are guided by His Word;
Where justice rules twixt man and man,
Where love controls an ardent plan;
Where, breathing in his native air,
Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer.
Thus may our country, good and great,
Be God’s delight......man’s best estate.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
June 28th - Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the firehouse.
June 29th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
June 30th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
July 1st - Attend the church of your choice.
July 2nd - Nothing scheduled at press time.
July 3rd - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are scheduled to meet today at noon at Chuy’s. The Van Horn City Council is slated to meet this evening at City Hall at 7 p.m.
July 4th - Independence Day Holiday.
July 5th - American Legion Post 508 members are slated to meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark Hotel Historical Museum. Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are scheduled to meet this evening at the firehouse at 7 p.m.
July 6th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
July 7th - 7-7-7 Event at Van Horn’s EDI Project 7 Room today.
July 8th - Attend the church of your choice.
July 9th - Culberson County Commissioners are scheduled to meet this morning at the County Courthouse at 10 a.m. Members of the Van Horn Lions Club are slated to meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
July 10th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are slated to meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant.
July 11th - Nothing scheduled at press time.