freedom

I love the Fourth of July. I have ALWAYS loved the Fourth! I grew up with a dad in the Army, and therefor, had a very patriotic family.

I don't know what it is about this year, but this holiday has really struck a cord in my heart. I am so grateful for the freedom I have and the country I live in. I am an American, and I cannot express how proud I am of that!

Today in church, we sang all 3 versus of The Star-Spangled Banner. And I got a little choked up. When we lived on a military base, there was always a movie theater. Before each movie, they would always play the Star Spangled Banner. I LOVED that they did that. I grew up knowing the words to that song. But I want to call attention to the LAST verse:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

God bless America!