~ This Land, This People, This America ~

[Scott T. Shier]

~    ~    ~ 

My Dear Friends,

On today, the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, I wanted to wish all a very happy and safe weekend, and well-being for you and yours . . .

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~

I firmly believe, with all my heart, that now more than ever (since the end of WW-2 and the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001), we need Unity, Common Purpose, and a return to the habits and value of the "We" and the "Us" -- WE AMERICANS.

* That is my most fervent wish.

Today, I will listen to the song "America, The Beautiful"  because it is a more all-encompassing, true vision of the full, real, "all" America - - (rather than an obscure battle hymn that everyone knows the theme to, yet few know scant details of the event).

1. The Landscape Verse
O' beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

2. The Pilgrim Verse
O' beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

3. The Hero Verse
O' beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!

4. The Patriot Verse
O' beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

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It saddens my heart that the only things that seem to be able to bring US together in modern times are: sports, wars, Hurricane Katrina's, "Challengers", and 9/11's. What about the "family of man?" Good deeds? Helping one another? Celebrating teachers, doctors, volunteers, fire-fighters, caregivers, those who suffer cancer, the 90-year old who has nobody left in their life? . . . you know, the ones who are not celebrities or millionaires for the vital role they play, and their service to all of Us, the We.

The true measure of a "good" society can best be found in the measure of the love & compassion it gives - - whilst always keeping in mind, it is not the 'what', or 'how much" we give, but how much we do give in proportion to what each of us actually has.

"We can do no great things, only small things, with great Love"   

~ Mother Teresa

"The biggest disease people in this world suffer from are the feelings of being unwanted, cast aside, unloved"   

~ Princess Diana

How do We Americans in 2026 and, in-future, find our way back to those aspirations and dreams, the true hope & belief, and aiming for big goals and making them happen? I do not know. My heart soars and weeps in equal measure today.

I am grateful to have been born in a time period & a nation that could address my medical issues, yet I am disheartened that I also live in a world where adult Americans make fun of my cleft lip + palate on a near-weekly basis. This society has a lot of growing up to do, and responsibility for itself to take (in-between patting itself on its back).

{ Random thought:  Ever since childhood, I have wondered why our national anthem is militaristic rather than humanistic, and I also wonder why we pledge our allegiance & loyalty to a cloth - a flag, rather than to our governing Constitution, which is the real thing that we achieved and fought for, and bestows and preserves our . . . pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness to live our lives freely, peacefully, happily. Hmmm. }

I deeply cherish this group, this community of passionate collector's where I have received kindness & friendship. It has meant the world to me! (more than you will ever know . . . )

     Yours, and my Best wishes to all, now & always,

               ~ Scott T. Shier

On that note, and on the occasion of Our 250 years, I'll close with this:

"There is a Destiny that makes Us all Family.

No one goes through Life truly alone --

All that we Give into the lives of others, 

Comes back . . . Into Our own"

~    ~    ~ 

[Melvin L. De Vilbiss]

Best wishes on this wonderful day in American history!

Mel

[Scott T. Shier]

Yes Sir, 

[George Thomas Wilson]

Thank you for this, Scott.

[Scott T. Shier]

Your welcome . . . and, thank you.