SINCERELY SCOTTY by Walter Scott: Fourth of July
July 4, 2017
“Freedom is more than words on paper or images carved on mountains. It is an idealism that exists in the minds of people who believe in it.” —- Unknown
What were you doing on the 4th of July – a picnic at a lake or beach, a backyard Bar-B-Q with friends or family, or did you spend a quiet day at home? Perhaps you watched a fireworks display someplace. But how many remembered to take a few moments and think about what this day really means? Sadly, not very many, but I suspect more than in the past. Since 9-11, there had been some increased interest in national pride and in what this country stood for. It has been nearly 16 years since that terrible event and it is beginning to wane with time. Most young people look at it as a historical event and can’t or won’t happen again.
A few years ago, Jacque and I spent a week in South Dakota, visiting Mt. Rushmore and admiring the work and skill it took to create the faces, and visiting the Chief Crazy Horse monument, which is still under construction. We later went to Lead and Deadwood, where so much western history and folklore took place, and visiting one of our great national forests as well as taking numerous scenic drives around the area. One evening, we stayed late at Mt. Rushmore to watch the lighting ceremony. It is a very moving and memorable event to see. Over the years, we have visited numerous national parks, all very beautiful, but each in a different way. In no way could they be compared.
As I watched the lighting ceremony, it reminded me of some events in my life. Back in my college days, I was a dormitory counselor and had a young man from Poland under my care. One day he came in without a shirt on and I noticed his arm and shoulder were badly scarred. Out of curiosity, I asked him about them and was told a bizarre story — I believed him. It seems that when he was a baby, the Nazis took him and his parents during WWII. The Nazis used him as a laboratory test subject for various drugs and vaccines to determine how they affected humans. The scars were what were left from the ordeal. He said he was one of the lucky ones – he survived! He later became a US citizen, and as a college student he was working to make a contribution to this nation. The scars on his body are a constant reminder of what evil leaders and oppression of people can do. After seeing them, and hearing his story, they are a reminder to me as well.
I frequently hear and read of people complaining about why we are sending our troops to defend and protect other nations. I suspect that if we walked in the shoes of the oppressed for a while, we might not be so quick to complain. For me, just seeing those scars on that young man is enough justification.
Peace is not something that just happens. And yes, we have to fight for and defend it as well. Do you know who the first US President that was born in the US was? It was Martin VanBuren, our seventh president! The first six were born in the colonies, before the Constitution was ratified. July 4, 1776, Independence Day, has often been called as the birthday of this nation, but it was a long time before it reached maturity. This nation grew and advanced faster than any other nation on this planet. Why? Two big reasons come to mind. One, we never tried to focus our potential on conquering other nations; rather we have come to the aid of others as necessary. And two, this is a nation made up of people from oppressed countries where they could now dream not just about freedom, but how to make the world a better place; they can set goals, and work to make them happen. We are free to express our opinions, for our form of government is “of the people, by the people, and for the people”.
Peace is both a state of mind and an objective we have had to fight to keep. It is not something we should take for granted and assume it will always be there; for that attitude will bring this country down like a house of cards.
I hope you took a few moments to give thanks to God for our nation, the people who made it great, and the troops who are sacrificing to keep it both great and free. That isn’t asking too much.
Sincerely, Scotty