Countdown: 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

In 2013, Awakenings featured a countdown to the 4th of July. Each day featured special tributes to America in recognition and honor of her independence: July 4, 1776. With yet another year having passed, it is again time for celebration. Let us not forget those who have fought or are fighting for our nation; they are the epitome of the human spirit called freedom!

Let's begin this year's Countdown:

5 - In God We Trust
4 - Star-Spangled Banner
3 - Pledge of Allegiance

2 - Remember Our Troops

1 - Happy Independence Day 

In God We Trust: 

Stand by it!  

Having faced acceptance, as well as controversy, this is still the official motto of the United States of America. The phrase appears to have originated in "The Star-Spangled Banner", written during the War of 1812: And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

 

The patriotic song God Bless America has become an iconic symbol of the United States of America originally written in 1918 by Irving Berlin while he was serving the US Army at Camp Upton in Yaphank, New York. In 1938, with the rise of Adolf Hitler, Irving Berlin, who was Jewish and a first-generation European immigrant, felt it was time to revive it as a "peace song," and it was introduced on an Armistice Day broadcast in 1938, sung by Kate Smith on her radio show.

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Listen to the original FIRST broadcast radio performance of
"God Bless America" sung by Kate Smith.

America was founded on hope, faith and courage. 

Voyage to America

A strong-willed people from very diverse backgrounds crossed treacherous waters, enduring hardships unimaginable to us today. Hope, faith, and courage remained resolute even in the face of serendipitous challenges. 
  
 

Hope for an improved life

Led ships to set sail for America

Why did they leave their homes, 

Those ancestors of our generation?

Great fortunes some would seek

While others simply settled for freedom

All were hard-working folks

Laborers with varied education

Some traveled as prisoners

Many were indentured servants

Each hoped for a better life

Built on faith’s determination 

Faith the Christian cornerstone

Inspired stabilization of belief

Preparing for the unexpected

Confirmed a watchful eye of conviction

Enormous challenges emerged

Within an era of self-belief

All answered their call to duty

When courage was commonplace 

Courage to overcome

Took strength larger than life

An innate part of who they were

Hearts and minds did embrace



Thousands of years of descendants

Left their mark for generations to come

Enduring sickness and hardships

With perseverance and innovation

Each has a name, a family

And they are still all together

So who do they proclaim to be?

Our ancestors—Our foundation

 ©2013 Awakenings

Sharla Lee Shults

Do you have your recipes for a 4th of July crowd?

Patriotic Berry Trifle

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

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