Happy 4th of July

Spending time with family is what I remember most about 4ths of July growing up.  Swimming at Aunt Sue's, BBQ'ing, and sitting on the roof watching the Cal Expo firework show were part of growing up.

Being young, I don't know that I really understood the depth of the sacrifice that was required to bring about the great holiday that we all have the opportunity to celebrate this weekend.  The celebration more often became admiring the biggest or the best firework display, having something good to eat, spending time with family, and twirling sparklers while constantly being warned not to burn the other kids.

As a child, I don't recall ever having the desire to take up arms in the service of my country.  I never considered that war would have anything to do with my life.  That changed as I watched the tragic events unfold on the television on September 11, 2001.  I enlisted February 8, 2002 and was deployed in January 2004.

During my service in Afghanistan with the (Inter)National Guard, I gained insight into what it means to give not of your means but of yourself in a very literal sense in the form of blood, sweat, and tears.  I know what it means to live every day as though it may be your last.  I know what it means to spend holidays with family half a world away and I feel for the troops doing the same now.

It is with a full heart that I say to those in the service - Thank You.

I completed my service to my country in February 2010 and since then, my thoughts have turned from being one of the troops enduring in the field to civilian life, endeavoring to inspire those at home to really contemplate our role and responsibility as citizens of the United States.  Our responsibility as parents, as teachers, as role models, and as stewards of the earth.

In June I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Philadelphia, PA and Independence Hall, the birthplace of our nation, and to see the very room in which the Declaration of Independence was signed.  What a humbling experience to be where this treasonous act would begin a war which led to the sacrifice of so many so that we could be free.

I am honored to be the beneficiary of those who gave of themselves not for their own benefit, but so their children and their children's children could have the ability to choose their own government and have real representation - of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Government is supposed to be a representation of our beliefs and our goals.  It is supposed to act as we would act, embodying our values and our desires.  It is my prayer that this can one day happen.  It's our responsibility to work towards making this happen, and when it doesn't, to get educated and send a message to those representing us that they are servants and should be replaced if serving in any way other than as true representatives embodying our values.

Let us all remember our responsibility to have values that would uplift, inspire, and help those around us.  Let us remember for what our forefathers fought - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - to allow all men (and women) the ability to live a life free of unjust rule.

I hope that each of us truly understands what men (and women) of great courage gave us as we celebrate this holiday - the birth of our nation - which began with an act of treason.

It is with great honor and gratitude that I remember those founding fathers and all those, both living and dead, who followed their footsteps in order to realize this dream.  I honor all those who continue to have this dream in their hearts and who are engaged in the struggle to bring it to pass.

Happy 4th of July!