As we enter into Independence Day weekend, I’m reminded of all the improbable victories achieved during a relatively short 234 year history. While there are buildings across the globe older than our country, the richness of our short legacy endures.
It is worth remembering the journey taken when many seem to believe we are in times that are like no other.
While the circumstances are not exactly the same as have been witnessed in other times, some may question our resolve to endure and overcome.
Likewise, many have questioned our desire to overcome past challenges as well.
As Americans, we have led and inspired during the darkest of hours. We have arrived at creative solutions, cured disease and shared our compassion with the world.
We have liberated those enslaved around the world, remembered those who have been forgotten and raised our voices during a time when others have failed to speak.
Transfer of power has taken place in even controversial times, illustrating the power of our republic.
We have exported national pastimes, original music, great works of art and scientific breakthroughs, while also exporting ideals that provide hope around the world.
While we have never been perfect as a nation and continue to strive towards perfection, we have often righted the wrongs. The slave has been freed, the power of the ballot is enjoyed by all and we extend our vision past our borders to care for the disenfranchised.
However, perfection is not required in order to achieve improbable victories.
We have ventured westward with lofty dreams, taken to flight and stepped foot on the moon.
Great educational institutions have been built on our soil and people from around the world have been welcomed to our shores in order to receive higher education.
It’s easy to spot many of our heroes today, as they are prone to run into areas where others are fleeing and they are serving in faraway lands in order to keep us safe. But many of our heroes are also reaching deep within to answer cries from around the world after a natural disaster occurs. And many of our heroes lead what seem to be ordinary lives, while making their communities much better due to their presence.
And like many times before we shall look back on this time of economic recession and remember that our faith has not receded, nor has our desire to overcome challenge.
Some throughout the world mistake our confidence as being brash, yet it is our confidence that causes us to lead and inspire.
As Americans, we are accustomed to leading the charge to improbable victory.
We have much to be proud of as we approach Independence Day.
Random Moments at Specific Times 
Thanks for the inspiring post. God Bless America…
Todd,
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment. I thought that your recent blog post, Lessons From The Fourth, was very inspiring as well.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Jeff
Great Post, I loved it! You are a gifted writer.
Although music is often simply a matter of taste, it doesn’t take a great ear to recognize something even Simon would reject. It is a terrible representation of, “America the Beautiful.” The combination of a no talent singer, with a piano sounding like a harpsichord (not my favorite instrument) probably had Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel E. Ward rolling over in their graves.
Caroline,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate them very much.
The video certainly doesn’t contain the best version of “America the Beautiful.”
I was looking for a patriotic song on YouTube and of course came across the “Lee Greenwood Section.”
While Lee Greenwood has certainly sounded much better before, I opted for the images that kurious1993 put together in the video.
If I utilize a video in my blog posts then I typically look for it after my post is written. The variety of images went well with the post, but you are right — the music could have been better!
Thanks again for stopping by and reading my post. Your comments were very kind and I appreciate them.
Jeff
I just have to speak up for the singer, and maybe it’s because I’ve a wide spectrum of taste. The passion he emotes fills my soul and the background music feels complimentary. No disrespect Caroline : )
Terry,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. While I don’t think it was the best recorded song that Lee Greenwood ever recorded, it spoke to my soul as well. The video was very well done in that it showed so many things that we never see in a patriotic video, such as The Grand Ole Opry, Yankee Stadium and views of cities we rarely see in this type of video.
A tear came to my eye as I first watched it, just as it would have in a recorded song that may have sounded a bit better to me.
So while it wasn’t the very best song I’ve heard by Lee Greenwood, it had the very same impact for me.
Terri, thank you for taking the time to stop by and for leaving your comment.
Jeff