I love today. With the patriotic music, parades, picnics, and festive merrymaking. Just for these moments, we are united in our identity as Americans celebrating the birth of this miraculous experiment in human government and living. 

Even today, these words ring true: “Happily for America, happily, we trust, for the whole human race, they pursued a new and more noble course. They accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society. They reared the fabrics of governments which have no model on the face of the globe.” James Madison, 1787

Our family will read these words together today:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”   The Declaration of Independence

Sheetal, thank you for sharing your story about becoming an American citizen to our Acton Eagles. They were moved and will remember always your words. The question we posed to the students was: Do you treasure something more if you are given it freely or if you have to earn it through hard work? You may want to toss this question about amidst today’s hot dogs and apple pie.

As you enjoy the celebration of freedom, remember that at Acton we hold a torch high for the cause upon which our nation was founded. We will tell the stories, read the documents and experience the meaning of liberty so that our promise to you will be realized: “that your child will learn to treasure economic, religious and political freedom.