I have to admit I was a bit bummed going into the Fourth of July today. My son had to work so that means there would be no hamburgers and hot dogs, no homemade fireworks show and there wouldn't be young people in and out of the house. We don't have a boat this year, so no rides on the lake to watch the fireworks in town. Top all of that with the wave of Socialists being elected across this country, and it was the recipe for a discouraging day. Then, the non-stop rain started. I decided it would be a day to watch movies, eat wings from our local Wingstop and write. A bit before 9:00 pm, my future daughter-in-law encouraged me to walk down to our partially rebuilt dock to see if we could see any fireworks in town. 

Thankfully, the sky had cleared and we were able to see fireworks in several different directions. It was a spirit lifter and I played Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the USA' while we watched. The words stuck with me:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free ....

I might not be happy with every elected official in this country, and I may be worried about our current trajectory, but I am free. I am worried about what may happen to my beloved Florida once Governor DeSantis is gone, but for today, we are free. That's worth being grateful for.

And I won't forget the men who died, that gave that right to me ...

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My family knows that loss intimately. My Uncle was killed in Vietnam. He left behind a family who loved him, a wife and four small children. That sacrifice will always be felt in our home. Thank you Major Kenneth Paul Tanner for serving your country bravely and bringing honor to our family. 

And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today ...

When we stand up next to our fellow Americans and defend America, that is the best of us. When we take the time to go vote, that is standing up for America. When we work hard for great candidates, that is standing up for America. 

I never heard this song until after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and whenever I hear it it brings back memories of that awful day but also how united we became in the aftermath. With the 25th anniversary coming up we really need to remember to never forget.

Here's Lee Greenwood… pic.twitter.com/gqgNarsn8D

— New York Jets History (@nyjetshistory) July 4, 2026

Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

Kim and I have both found ourselves especially emotional as our nation celebrates this historic milestone. Just days ago, it was one of the greatest honors of my life to stand on the National Mall and sing as America officially began its 250th… pic.twitter.com/v1xo1tLVaW

— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) July 4, 2026

Lee Greenwood gave our country a beautiful gift when he sang this song for the first time decades ago. It speaks to the hope and resilience of a country full of history, but also so much future promise. 

The fireworks are great, but God’s fireworks show—celebrating America’s 250–puts to shame anything done by man.#Happy250 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6tOY3zS5W7

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 5, 2026

God Bless the USA. Please continue to pray for God's grace upon our great country.