Although President Abraham Lincoln did not deliver his immortal address at Gettysburg until four months later, it was 162 years ago yesterday — July 3, 1863 — and fourscore and seven (87) years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 — that the most decisive battle of the U.S. Civil War officially came to an end. [“This Day In History,” History.com, July 3, 2025.]

Today being the 4th of July, when we once again celebrate the anniversary of our country’s founding, I thought it appropriate to take a break from the food and fireworks in order to remember some of the words that Lincoln spoke on that memorable day at Gettysburg, as he honored the fallen heroes who had fought so valiantly to keep the United States . . . well . . . united:

“ . . . It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Since that time, our country has fought in two world wars and other bloody conflicts on foreign soil . . . all in the defense of freedom and democracy. But there are those in power today who would have us forget what this country is about, and what all of those honored dead gave their lives to preserve.

So it is doubly appropriate, I think, to take a moment today to recall history, lest we forget it . . . and to resurrect Lincoln’s words:

“ . . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Amen.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
7/4/25