This week as we celebrate our freedom as a people and one nation under God, let us remember the words that have been passed down from history as a reminder of our inalienable rights and the pursuit of happiness in this great nation of ours.

Inalienable Rights: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence.

History: “Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.” Abraham Lincoln

Liberty: “A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty Is worth a whole eternity in bondage.” Joseph Addison, from Cato, Act II, Scene 1

Hope To All: “Without the Constitution and the Union, we could not have attained the result; but even these are not the primary cause of our great prosperity. There is something back of these, entwining itself more closely about the human heart. That something is the principle of ‘Liberty to all,’ the principle that clears the path for all–gives hope to all–and, by consequence, enterprise and industry to all.” Abraham Lincoln

One Nation: “One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One nation evermore!” Oliver Wendell Holmes, from “Voyage of the Good Ship Union”

United: “A song for our banner! The watchword recall, Which gave the Republic her station: ‘United we stand, divided we fall!’ It makes and preserves us a nation!” George Pope Morris, from “The Flag of Our Union

Think Anew: The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.” Abraham Lincoln

Diversity: “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Courage: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself–nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Determination: “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” Harry Truman

Principle: “Americanism is a question of principle, of purpose, of idealism, of character; it is not a matter of birthplace or creed or line of descent.” Theodore Roosevelt

Vigilant, Active, Brave: “We are not weak, if we make proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power…The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, and brave.” Patrick Henry

Duty Bound: “The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure.” Albert Einstein

“Let There Be Peace On Earth”, written by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, serves as a constant reminder to us all that “peace on earth” should begin within the hearts of each one of us.

“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brother all are we, Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

May God be our guide as we live in peace and harmony with our brothers and sisters and God Bless America!

Blessings,
Yvonne