Fourth of July - Friend John Orlando

My friend - John Orlando - wrote this musing on July 4th. Here is a picture of John's home in Ormond Beach - right by Daytona. John married one of our best friends - Bonnie Premo. You may remember Bonnie - she lived next to us in an apartment in Winter Park FL in 1980. The apartment then was called Strawberry Fields. Our friendship like Strawberry Fields is forever.


John wrote this -

It's the 4th of July, America

On this 4th of July holiday, I think it is time for everyone to take a deep breath, sit back, and thank God, thank their parents or thank good fortune for being a citizen of this great nation. We live in trying times - the general war against terrorism, the specific wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Great Recession, the natural disasters, the challenges in doing what is right and reasonable with the environment, doing what is right with our immigration problem, and the overarching liberal versus conservative philosophies.

We have endured as a nation for 236 years now. During those times we, as a nation, have faced many challenges - some foreign and some domestic. Yet, in spite of it all, we are still one nation, the world's strongest nation. For that we can thank the majorities and the minorities in past years and centuries. We can thank the true believers and the non-conformists, the visionary leaders and the unwilling followers.

What is most important to remember on this our country's birthday is that all Americans want what is best. As in any family, we may not always agree on what we think is best, but with time, patience and understanding, we have always got it right.

So, on this holiday take a moment to thank whomever or whatever you do when good fortune smiles on you. And, as part of that thank you, remember to thank your lucky stars for that cantankerous opponent, that apparent idiot who seems to have it all wrong. Were it not for all of you, we'd have never gotten this far nor will we achieve all there is yet to achieve for this great country.

When I say I'm proud to be an American what I'm really saying is that I'm proud to be one of you - be you democrat or republican, believer or non-believer. We are, after all, all citizens of the greatest county with the greatest potential in the world.

So, go enjoy the beach, pig out at that picnic, marvel at the fireworks - it's the biggest birthday celebration you'll ever experience - and the whole national family is enjoying it with you. See you there.