It’s about Freedom

While the sheep of the world shammer and shake and the liberal media shed tears in their soup over Britain’s vote to become Britain again and leave the chains of the European Socialist Union, we in America are getting ready to celebrate Independence, too.

Happy Fourth of July weekend.

But remember this isn’t just about fireworks and movie remakes. It’s about freedom. And that is what our flag, our Constitution and our country are about. One Nation, Under God. Period. Where you are free to believe as you want, but not free to force your beliefs on everyone else. God Bless those who still work to protect and defend that.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk a little fireworks.

There are several big fireworks shows planned for this coming weekend, but none are better than the one on the shores of Lake D’Arbonne. Lake newcomer Rhett Trahan of Lache Pas La Patate’s has planned a full day of activities during the day Saturday, July 2, on Ludwig Point with the focus on veterans. It includes a boat parade and the annual Chamber fireworks show at 9 p.m.

You can keep up with all the details or ask questions online at

https://www.facebook.com/LachePasLaPatates/?fref=ts

Fly your flag. Watch the fireworks. Eat too much barbecue. Get a little sunburn. Celebrate America. And step up the plate when you get a chance to defend and honor this great nation.

God Bless America.

HERE’S HOW IT STARTED:  “Taxation without representation!” was the battle cry in America’s 13 Colonies, which were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III despite having no representation in the British Parliament. As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent in to quell the early movement toward rebellion. Repeated attempts by the Colonists to resolve the crisis without military conflict proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the Colonies’ Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and formed a committee whose express purpose was drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer, crafted the original draft document (as seen above). A total of 86 changes were made to his draft and the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.

The following day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed, and on July 6, The Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print the extraordinary document. The Declaration of Independence has since become our nation’s most cherished symbol of liberty.

On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music. One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.

The custom eventually spread to other towns, both large and small, where the day was marked with processions, oratory, picnics, contests, games, military displays and fireworks. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812 with Great Britain.

In June of 1826, Thomas Jefferson sent a letter to Roger C. Weightman, declining an invitation to come to Washington, D.C. to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It was the last letter that Jefferson, who was gravely ill, ever wrote. In it, Jefferson says of the document:

“May it be to the world, what I believe it will be … the signal of arousing men to burst the chains … and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form, which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. …For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”
– Thomas Jefferson
June 24, 1826 Monticello