And a New Nation was Born

"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...."

So began the birth announcement of a brand-new nation, born in the early days of July, 1776. It was not a time for baby-countries; the "Powers of the Earth" receiving the announcement were both scandalized and outraged. 

"Of all the nerve!" they cried in great derision, "To be so openly affronted with such audacity and pride! For this imbecile-infant to believe she ranks with us! She shall not last an instant, she knows so little of the world. Her inexperience shall be her undoing; her very existence is a nuisance - and we will squelch this 'little' life!"

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;" - I Corinthians 1:27

The great, proud Powers were unable to succeed in their mission. Spurning all dark prophecies that the country could not last, defiant of all powers who planned and plotted its demise, the great fathers and mothers of the new baby-nation were men and women willing to envision ambitiously, create painstakingly, and sacrifice limitlessly. For their children who would follow, these brave parents lead the way - examples of dedication, self-denial, and - most importantly - faith in the one, true King. No cost was too high a price to bring into the world this young nation. A nation who would, in turn, guard and protect the lives and faiths of those to come.

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." - John Adams

And as they signed that solemn announcement, to the soft scratch of pen on paper, the fathers knew all they would be called upon to lay down for this, their new, small child. Families, occupations, lands, houses, and lives - they counted the cost, and knew it well. Yet, emboldened by their faith in Christ, confident that they were doing right, the signed their names below these words:

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare , That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES....And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

And a new nation was born.

Happy Birthday, America.

Watch-It Wednesday: The National Anthem

On Memorial Day, Gracie-girl had the honor and opportunity to sing the national anthem for a service in Amboy. She has not sung in public before (unless you count the 3-year-old singing "You're My Honey-Bun, Sugar Plum" at camp as "singing in public"), and has not had voice lessons of any sort. But she does have a sweet voice, and despite her nerves, did quite well! :)

Video taken with Daddy's phone.

Do Not Forget

General Order
No. 11

Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.

By command of:

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.

N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General.

"If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains in us." - that sentence always gets me. Eyes have dulled, hands have grown slack, hearts have cooled. Memorial Day is now, for far too many Americans, just another holiday. A three-day weekend off work and school, an excuse for stores to flood your inbox with "patriotic" sales - which are the same as "Cinco de Mayo" sales, but with a slightly different color scheme -, a day wherein following tradition means one merely hangs out a flag and hosts a big barbecue. What has happened to the noble purpose of Memorial Day? Too many have forgotten. Let us not forget.

I praise my King who has bestowed upon me the gift of growing up in such a country. On this day, I honor the men and women who have fought so desperately, so sacrificially, to defend and protect this land.

God bless America, land that I love!

Source: http://www.suvcw.org/logan.htm
Photo Credit