Calling all Patriots

Recently I sent an email to all our clients in regards to our Nation's Independence Day. So often I wonder if anyone ever reads the emails that I pour my heart and soul into writing each week. Today I received an email from one of our massage clients, who served in Viet Nam, worked and retired from the police force and now suffers from chronic pain from injuries sustained over the years while in service of his fellow man. 

My original 4th of July email:

Steve's Touching Response:

  Kitty

It is not very often anymore than anyone really talks about, much less understands, what the real significance of the 4th of July is anymore.

As you mentioned, it is true that Hot Dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, and watermelon are “historical” fixtures representing this day.

The majority of Americans nowadays, limit their ideas about what that day meant then and now to what you have described as indicated above.

I applaud you for going the next step further and mentioning the real reason why we celebrate this solemn day. For over 200 years now, our forefathers and later generations of Americans have continued to celebrate what were once  simple ideas which founded our great nation.

“Like a small child whose mind is full of wonder and imagination

Who carelessly tosses a stone into nearby water

 Ripples 

Go in all directions

Like the simple ideas of freedom truth individuality and democracy

That were the basis of the formation of our country

And these ripples continue as simple truths we hold self evident

Traveling across our world

Awakening those in tyranny and giving them hope

So that they too come to understand and realize

That they too are included in this unbelievable idea

Of what we are and believe in

As Americans in the greatest nation of all time

The United States of America”

Nowadays, our world is undergoing great turmoil. Our basic beliefs are under attack in every corner of the world.

Nothing has changed since our humble beginnings

When the citizen-soldier looked down the barrel of his flintlock rifle 

At Bunker Hill, Lexington, Concord and many other places

And saw a sea of red-coated soldiers of the greatest army in the world then.

Many gave their lives then fighting for the right to be a nation based on those simple ideas

Each and every  generation of American patriots also had to fight to preserve and protect those ideas which founded our great nation

In many places far and wide in this world

I spent my 18th 19th and 20th birthday 8,000 miles away from home doing the same thing in a place called Viet Nam

I was a “child” , without any legal right of adulthood. As a “boy” patriot  Army infantry Sergeant, I daily lead other young boys and even younger men into situations our dear Lord, NEVER intended his greatest creation, human beings, to EVER have to experience in this lifetime or any future ones.

• 63,864 of my brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice for those simple ideas then.
• Nothing has changed
• We are again at war protecting our country based on those ideas. Now, there are forces in this world in GREAT numbers that are trying to destroy everything we stand for and hold as dear and sacred to us as Americans.
• Another generation of patriots are following in the predecessors footsteps. Many are losing their lives now daily.

Let us never forget any of our generations sacrifices for those ideas.

Thank you again for telling people what the 4th of July really means. 

Warm Regards

Steve