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"The Fourth", Not Just Another American Day
by Ben Kinchlow
He spoke with only a slight accent. His mannerisms, appearance, and style of speech, however, clearly indicated birth outside the continental United States. "I am from Egypt", he said. "I came to America via Australia."
This man is, in every sense of the word, the embodiment of the "American dream". He pastors a large church housed in a beautiful sanctuary, is married to lovely woman who loves him, has intelligent, well-educated children, is heard on radio and television in many countries, and has been complimented by the President of the United States. Our interview included portions of his testimony, and a moment that remains etched sharply in my memory. He said, "Some years ago, I became an American citizen." He paused, and then with a voice filled with emotion, he continued, "Next to my salvation, it was one of the greatest days of my life." I was taken aback. "One of the greatest days of my life" - being sworn in as an American citizen! A question for you... "When was the last time you considered being born an American citizen a privilege?
"The American Dream" is sought desperately by millions. At this very moment, there are literally tens of millions of people hoping, praying, and yearning desperately for a visa to enter "the land of opportunity", "the home of the brave", the source of the American dream. Some risk their lives, and many have died, in a valiant attempt to enter this "land of the free" and become a citizen. Webster's Revised, Unabridged Dictionary defines citizen as, "one who enjoys the freedoms and privileges of a city… a person, native or naturalized, of either sex, who owes allegiance to government, and is entitled to reciprocal protection from it."
An American Citizen! What a privilege! George Washington said, "The name American must always exalt the pride of patriotism."
A patriot is "one who loves his country, and zealously supports its authority and interests." Among the patriots who readily come to mind are George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Nathan Hale, ("I regret I have but one life to give for my country"), Abraham Lincoln, Crispus Attucks (the first black man to die for American freedom), and millions of young men and women of all nationalities, Americans all, who, to quote Abraham Lincoln, "gave the last full measure of devotion."
Today, arguments by college professors, so-called "Constitutional scholars", lecturers, and pundits, rage regarding whether or not the Constitution offers support and protection for "American citizens" who have been captured in conflict against America.
Treason is defined as simply, "a betrayal of trust or confidence", and a traitor is defined as "one who betrays ones country, a cause, or a trust, especially one who commits treason… takes arms and levies war against his country; or one who aids an enemy in conquering his country."
The Fourth of July in our America… still a free, powerful nation that aids, comforts, and protects millions around the world… let us pause for a moment to consider this day.
The Fourth of July, John Adams felt, "ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." "The Fourth" was, for decades, celebrated, like Christmas, as a great religious holiday.
Compare now the mealy-mouthed definitions of "Constitutional protection" afforded those who have taken up arms against America, threatened to kill American citizens on American soil, and perhaps fired upon American citizens in uniform…
…with this ringing declaration from the Founding Fathers… "With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor."
Most of us understand what "The Fourth" is really about…don't we?
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