Happy Independence Day, Merriam!

I make a point every year to call it Independence Day, not simply July 4th. This day should mean more than just a number.

It’s the day that a People, weary from war and external rule, came together to declare their independence and say “no more”.

The final straw may have been as petty as a tax on tea, but the King’s Government had pushed the colonists too hard for too long; they risked everything to fight for their Independence and to form a more perfect union.

Before there were hospitals as we know them today or modern medicine, before the Geneva Convention established the rules of civil warfare, before any of the technological advancements we enjoy were even dreamed of, they cleaned their muskets and, very literally, risked their lives fighting for their freedom and ours.

Allied flag has one of only a handful of star embroidery machines in the USA

In the 249 years since then, generations of our countrymen have served in our military and other government departments to defend our nation.

This Independence Day we honor them. Their service. Their sacrifice. And the oath they took to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and all it stands for.

Please take a moment to think about the documents upon which our nation and our state were built:

If you didn’t get a copy from me today, take a moment to read them above and remember every Independence Day to browse back over them.

Which amendments do you value most?

I, personally, value the 9th and 10th amendments of the Federal Constitution and the 20th amendment of Kansas because they reserve All rights to The People. These are the basis upon which we enjoy our, what I call, “freedom by default.”

2018 I think, squinting into the sun, wearing one of the original Flags 4 Freedom polo shirts.

Merriam’s Flags 4 Freedom event began as a Healing Field® Flag Display in 2006.

Every flag you see here is held up by steel bars donated from Shawnee Steel down the road.

Since then, Flags4Freedom has brought together neighbors and guests every year to celebrate our nation to remember those who risked their lives to serve and protect our nation and our state.

A group of neighbors met in Merriam Public Works to inspect the flag inventory..

There’s a call for volunteers every year and I’m honored to be among those who have helped make this event a success.