Independence Now And Independence Forever

When the 1960s dawned, a cloud of fear was creeping across our country. Russia was continually breathing threats, and many were anxious. Sputnik, Russia's first satellite, had launched the race for space. Spies were divulging our secrets. Times were tense.

Cities and families made plans. One rural family we know agreed they would quickly tunnel into a nearby dirt bank in case of a nuclear attack. But like many, the 14-year-old in that family, who wrote the following essay in 1961, had inner hope. America was still the "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

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America means a lot to me. It is a place where I am free to do as I wish as long as it is clean and honest. I can choose my own friends, religion, and beliefs.

My freedom is very important to me. Every time I hear or even think about Russia and its government, I get scared. I am afraid of what they might do. I am very thankful to be living in a country like mine where I can have a just government.

It makes me proud when I know that I have my own choice of what I want to do when I grow up. I have the choice now to decide if I'm going to make something of myself. No one is making me learn a trade or making me learn to be a scientist as they are in Russia. I can try if I want to but I don't have to make good grades. It's up to me and no one else.

I am glad to be living in America where I can believe as I want to. Every day I gather more knowledge and draw my own conclusions about everything around me.

It would frighten me to think that I couldn't believe in God. I love America more for this reason than any other. In everything I do, I think about God. He is the reason that I make good grades. He's the reason I try to be good and nice.

America means a lot to me.

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Forty years have passed, and the "Cold War" is over. But Russia and other nations still breathe threats. Who knows what's happening behind the smoke screens of political protocol and procedure?

But we still live in an America where we enjoy the independence to worship God and make our own choices. Daniel Webster observed, "It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God is shall be my dying sentiment--independence now, and independence forever."

Now is the time to fervently pray for our leaders that Webster's vision might endure. Pray that they will be both "clean and honest" and "good and nice." Pray that they will be wise and fearless. Pray that they will honor personal freedom above political gain.

May America mean as much to us as she did to that 14-year-old. And may God bless America with independence, both now and forever!

Copyright 2001 James McAlister

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