Dear Americans,

As Father's Day drew closer, I remembered something one of Art Linkletter's "kids" said, "America was founded by four fathers." I chuckled, then thought, "You know, that's true. America really was founded by 'four fathers.'"

The first "fathers" were the courageous men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, knowing that if they succeeded, the years ahead would be ones of painful struggle, and if they failed, they would be hanged. These fathers were determined to create a government "of the people, by the people and for the people," and build a foundation based on four freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. These were the "Founding Fathers."

The second "fathers" were the brave men who risked everything to come to America, the country that promised the four freedoms, in hope of building a better life for their families. These were the "Immigrant Fathers."

The third "fathers" were the fighting men whose blood stained the ground of their ancestor's countries through numerous wars. These fathers were dedicated to defending and preserving the four freedoms. These were the "Veteran Fathers."

The fourth "Father" is the only Father who was born to die, asked us to follow Him and blessed us with the four freedoms. He is the "Almighty Father."

In the song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth," it says, "and let it begin with me." I thought, "But how can peace begin with me?" In time, I came to believe that peace begins with us when we learn about the "fathers" efforts to acquire and preserve our freedom, then share that knowledge.

I believe peace begins when we honor our ancestors by passing our heritage on to our children, and encouraging them to share this family history with their children.

I believe peace begins when we fly the flag so many sacrificed for, and remember them on the holidays set aside to honor them.

I believe peace begins when we worship the God who created us, reflecting His love in all our thoughts, our words and our actions.

I believe peace begins when we thank the Lamplighters who paved the streets, attended our activities, and wiped our runny noses.

I believe that peace begins when we vote, which honors those who cast their vote with their pens, their labor, their sacrifice and their lives.

Immigrant and concert violinist, Isthak Perlman said, "America's greatest threat to freedom is forgetting." I believe this to be true and that we must keep those memories alive if we are to remain free. In the words of John F. Kennedy, "No nation can remain free unless its people cherish their freedoms, understand the responsibilities they entail, and nurture the will to preserve them."

I do believe that America will remain free because Americans believe that " if America is worth dying for, she is worth living for." As someone once said, "To be born free is a privilege. To die free is an awesome responsibility." I believe Americans not only accept that responsibility, but are willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to ensure America's children that same freedom.
In closing, I believe that peace begins with me as I share the stories of those whose sacrifices have acquired and preserved our freedom, our families and our spiritual heritage.

Please join me as we continue The American Journey and may God bless you with hope, health and happiness. Dodie
dodie@theamericanjourney.com

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