Greetings and salutations my Fort Payne Main Street family and friends and happy Saturday morning and Happy Independence weekend. I really feel next to Christmas this is the most revered of holidays because of the very nature of what we must remember and never forget. Our forefathers and the absolute genius of the Constitution and I feel it was divinely intervened to them to look so far into the future.

This piece of parchment and these God inspired words are truly one of a kind and should never be taken for granted. The scriptures tell us there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. I guess the same could be said for our freedom as Americans. Our freedom came at the cost of many lives from literally all over the world. This incredible freedom that we enjoy on a daily basis and for the most part take for granted I am sad to say was earned by a generation long before us of fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, grandfathers, grandmothers, cousins, next door neighbors and strangers that we never knew. Theses United States of America is such a shining example of why when a young country was faced with being ruled by the British Empire forever it went its own path inspired by Patrick Henry’s speech on March 23rd 1775 with his famous quote “Give me Liberty or give me death!” I have to admit that sounds very high drama and like a line from a movie but to our founding fathers it was real and thank God for them.

I do not think our history is being taught or revered like it should be, and yes America has some warts, but it is without a doubt the best thing going on this green planet. God Bless America! I am not ashamed to be a patriot.
I truly believe that two movies should be required viewing: the first is “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson and the other is “Saving Private Ryan” starring Tom Hanks. “The Patriot” is all about the Revolutionary War so that is a good historic start and “Saving Private Ryan” is about the greatest generation. The opening scene of “Saving Private Ryan” should be watched at least once a year as a reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedom.

This article is all about America and there is nothing more American than Fort Payne Main Street!