Election reminder; importance of military bands
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Food for Thought
Judge of Probate Richard Dean
I hope you had an enjoyable and safe Independence Day weekend. I watched many of the televised events, including the fireworks display at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. They were fantastic! I was especially impressed by the performers in the military bands. I am glad the military bands were used instead of big-name performers.
I thought that made a huge statement about America and “We the People” for whom these celebrations were held. It wasn’t about the performers; it was about us and our nation’s achievements.
The many talents of the people in our military services never cease to amaze me. I always enjoy hearing the military bands perform, whether at a military function, playing patriotic music, or just providing general entertainment at public concerts; like this celebration.
A bit of trivia. U.S. military bands date back to the 1600s. The U.S. Marine Corps Band was founded in 1798, is known as “The President’s Own,” and is the oldest continuously active professional musical organization in the United States.
Some people may doubt the necessity of military bands. These bands perform not only at official ceremonies, but also at public concerts and community events at home and abroad and as entertainment for our deployed troops.
The public concerts and community events serve multiple purposes, one being to represent the military and place them in a professional light with the average citizen. Another is a recruiting tool. Another purpose is to build morale of deployed personnel, especially in war zones.
Often these military bands are the only source of entertainment for deployed personnel, obviously because of the inherent danger in some deployment areas. Each year, our military bands perform for tens of millions of people around the globe.
Some military bands consist of professionals who have studied music and instruments. Other bands are made up of volunteers from the many technical jobs in the military such as mechanics, logisticians, administrators, etc. Some military bands even perform a complete variety show.
If you have the opportunity to attend a live military band performance, I strongly recommend it. The price is right: Free. You are sure to enjoy the performance!
Moving on. As a reminder, we have a special primary election on August 11. Voters will select, for the Democratic and Republican parties, the candidates to appear on the November general election ballot for the U.S. Congressional House of Representatives, District 6.
I will be surprised if we attain 15 percent voter turnout for this election. The lack of interest in our elections is disappointing. I encourage every eligible voter to make his/her voice heard by casting a vote. Surprise me!
With this being an election-marathon year (four elections) and our 250th anniversary of America, I have thought a lot about our history and freedoms. I have thought about the people who had the courage, determination and guts to forge this great nation. I thank God for them.
It saddens me to see the number of people who say they believe America is not and/or has never been great. Especially the people who are so successful because of the opportunities afforded only because of being in America.
Some are greatly successful. Some are naturalized citizens who say they prefer to celebrate the country from where they fled instead of celebrating America. Some say they have allegiance to the flag of the country they left. Some are even elected officials – notice, I didn’t call them leaders. I can think of some other names I could use to better describe them.
Many who bash America are only visitors in America, legally or illegally. Some are here for their jobs. For the visitors, I must ask, “Why are you here?” Why choose to visit or work in a country you detest? There are 194 other countries you could choose.
We are living in a time in America when it is popular to bash our nation. A time when history is being rewritten to destroy our heritage, founders, America, and the Christian principles on which we were founded. We see a concerted effort by citizens, schools, media, outsiders, and elected officials to diminish the accomplishments of those founding heroes who were so willing to give so much for our nation and the values, overwhelmingly Christian values, in which they believed.
Recently, I heard multiple U.S. representatives saying they would celebrate their native country or another country, but not America, on our Independence Day. Some of those same people when asked which country they were rooting for in the World Cup games named other countries over America. I think that is disgusting.
However, because we are America they have the “freedom” to bash our country. Not for any sacrifices they have made or anything they have done personally, but because of our founders, for what America stands, and for what so many have given their lives. They have the right because we are America.
Some of my family and I went to see the movie “Young Washington” this weekend. It was an outstanding movie. I thought it depicted very well our Founding Father and first President in his youth. You could see his religious values drove his convictions, but that wasn’t the entire message.
It showed the societal values with which he struggled and fought to overcome. Instead of succumbing to victimhood and being held back, he was driven to succeed and overcome.
The movie told the story well, and we all enjoyed it tremendously. The movie was 125 minutes, but moved quickly. As we walked out discussing how much we enjoyed it, my 14-year-old grandson checked the time and said, “It didn’t seem like that movie was as long as it was.” It left us wanting more. I hope they make a sequel that picks up where this movie ended.
Most of our founding fathers would probably have considered themselves less than perfect. I have never read historical documents written by any of them claiming their infallibility. Other people put them on a historical pedestal, rightfully so, for their accomplishments, not every aspect of their personal lives.
I am sure they, like many of us, if given the opportunity and the luxury of additional years of life experiences, would change some things, possibly many things. Experiences give us insight, but we can’t act on them until we have lived them.
The First Amendment to our Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Our Constitution gives us the right to speak freely, to even bash America. It gives us the right to question the government. It gives us the right to “peaceably” assemble. Thank God it doesn’t mandate freedom from religion, but instead prohibits the government establishing a government-mandated religion. It is probably good I wasn’t a founding father.
Thank God I was born in America and that I live in Alabama where religious values are strong and are the guiding principles upon which we still live. Until next month, stay cool and safe.
Related Posts
