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| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail |
The 4th of July is a National holiday in the
United States of America and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us looked
for alternative ways to safely celebrate this tradition. Also known as
Independence Day, it is the most important holiday in our land for it
celebrates the very founding of our country which solidified the American
colonies' resolution to fight for their independence from Great Britain 244
years ago. Independence translated into freedoms that shaped the country that
we grew up in, it's in our blood, it is our DNA. This Independence Day 2020 has given us a space for reflection of the freedoms we so deeply treasure. Fireworks may be the public demonstration of this national holiday, but they are not a requirement. We will have much to look forward to next year when we are finally passed the health crisis and truly have something to collectively celebrate.
This year will be unusual due to our inability to gather and
celebrate traditionally. Not
since 1918 have we been unable to join with friends and family to honor the
efforts of our founding fathers and the patriotic citizens of the
colonies. That was due to the Spanish
Flu that arrived in America with the returning soldiers in WWI. That pandemic, like this one, has Americans
struggling to come to terms with the restrictions that are necessary to slow
this epidemic down. There were those back
then who would not or could not come to terms with the need to shelter in
place. But, just like 1918, this health
crisis is about biology, not about infringing in freedoms or
inconvenience. By obeying the law of the
land and guidance from our health experts to not spread this illness, we are
not infringing on our fellow man’s freedom to stay alive.
The Preamble states the purpose of the Constitution and its
intent. It is not law or a legal document but is used to explain what to expect
in the Constitution.
The Preamble of the Constitution was written in 1787 and
contains 52 words to preface our great document. The term Independence Day was
recorded as early as 1790, but the term Fourth of July is found as early as
1779. Of course, Independence Day / Fourth of July commemorates the events of
July 4th, 1776 when the Second Continental Congress adopted the
Declaration of the Independence, declaring that the 13 colonies were free from
King George. Upon its inception, this
democracy was an experiment like no other. It was and is meant to guarantee
freedoms of the individual. Meant to ensure that no individual had greater
rights that another.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of
Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America.
Looking back, the Constitution acted like a colossal merger,
uniting a group of states with different interests, needs, laws, and cultures.
Our 1st government was the “Articles of Confederation” where states
acted together for their own specific purposes. The Constitution united ALL
citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people.
Without it, this peculiar American experiment might have ended as quickly as it
began.
We
the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility…”
Citizen’s consent to follow the law protects our rights in
everyday situations. The key to the rule of law, is the commitment to
applying the laws fairly to everyone.
Today we see America in turmoil and isolation fatigue is
leaking like a sieve. Our citizens are
marching in the streets by the tens of thousands, even when they know that
their very lives are dependent on isolating due to a deadly pandemic. Unfortunately, many in our country are
divided politically to the point of open hostility more than ever before. Some
do not trust our government, our police, our elected officials, and it is
taking a toll on our spirits. We fought
a war with ourselves over the rights of all to be free, then 100 years
later, we had to march to confirm the results of that war and yet that message
seems to have been lost. So today, we still have not got it right. Our country is a work in progress, and it
should be always striving to improve. Yet,
what we do have is the right to speak our minds which is protected by the
freedom of speech. Even when it seems that no one is listening. We can speak
openly, we can march openly, we can pray openly. It is an experiment that
continues . . . we have been here before, and we will get through this again.
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| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail |
How did you celebrate Independence Day this year? Please comment below.
-Dennis Jones Friend of the Pacific Electric Trail
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