The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Protecting Freedom

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

5 July 2006

I don't know about you, but for me, America's patriotic symbols and songs bring me chills whenever I see or hear them, such as the Irving Berlin music Kate Smith made popular during WW II "God Bless America," and continued through 9-11, the following Monday at the reopening of the stock market. It and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA" stimulates the American spirit.

The celebrations across America this week are too numerous to count and we are so thankful we are not held back from celebrating the awesome occasion of our independence.

We differ in politics, religion, jobs, even in what schools we attend, but that is our freedom of choice in America. Too many times we take freedom to do or not to do for granted. Some look for the government to solve their problems instead of working to find solutions and solve them for themselves.

Although we differ in opinion, most of us will stand together in saluting our flag whether Cub-Cardinal; Republican-Democrat, Jew or Christian. Patriots agree: "love it, or leave it!"

In Dodger Stadium July 4th, Rick Monday former Cub center fielder, was honored for a patriotic act 30 years ago, considered one of the 100 classic moments in baseball. He ran across the field, snatched the American flag from two war protestors about to set fire to it. Rick was a Marine Reservist, and says it is wrong. It desecrates the efforts and the lives that have been laid down to protect our rights and freedoms.