President Obama wished the nation a happy and safe 4th of July while reminding us not to forgot those who are serving overseas and their families this Independence Day.
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The President said:
Happy Fourth of July, everybody. Like many of you, Michelle, Sasha, Malia, and I are going to spend the day outdoors, grilling burgers and dogs, and watching the fireworks with our family and friends. It’s also Malia’s birthday, which always makes the Fourth extra fun for us.
As always, we’ve invited some very special guests to our backyard barbecue – several hundred members of our military and their families. On this most American of holidays, we remember that all who serve here at home and overseas, represent what today is all about. And we remember that their families serve, too. We are so grateful for their service and for their sacrifice.
We remember as well that this is the day when, 239 years ago, our founding patriots declared our independence, proclaiming that all of us are created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights including the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
A couple of centuries later, we have made ourselves into a big, bold, dynamic, and diverse country. We are of all races, we come from all places, we practice all faiths, and believe in all sorts of different ideas. But our allegiance to this declaration – this idea – is the creed that binds us together. It’s what, out of many, makes us one.
And it’s been the work of each successive generation to keep this founding creed safe by making sure its words apply to every single American. Folks have fought, marched, protested, even died for that endeavor, proving that as Americans, our destiny is not written for us, but by us.
We honor those heroes today. We honor everyone who continually strives to make this country a better, stronger, more inclusive, and more hopeful place. We, the people, pledge to make their task our own – to secure the promise of our founding words for our own children, and our children’s children.
And finally, what better weekend than this to cheer on Team USA – good luck to the U.S. Women’s National Team in the World Cup Final!
The troops who risk their lives for us deserve to be remembered today. It is easy to forget in our era of commercialism that the 4th of July isn’t about cookouts, fireworks, and online sales.
There are members of the military for whom today is no holiday. There are families all across this country who will be celebrating without their loved ones, but this reality isn’t limited to those who serve our country.
The 4th of July used to be a holiday for all Americans, but millions of us will go to work because unlike other developed countries, the United States doesn’t guarantee workers paid holidays. For these low paid workers, today, is another Saturday. Sure there may be a quick burger or hot dog grabbed from the grill, but for those workers who are working several jobs to get by there are no holidays during the year.
Remember the troops today, and if you see someone who served, thank them, but it would hurt to send an extra thank you to the family members of those who are without their loved ones on this Independence Day.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
