by andrew | Jul 3, 2018 | 4th of July, Federal Holiday, Freedom, Independence, Independence Day
On July 4th, 1776 our founders adopted a declaration of independence that established a vision of hope and equality that endures to this day. America’s strength and its prosperity are a testimony to the enduring power of the founders’ ideals that liberty is the birthright of every individual and all people are created equal. America’s creed remains so powerful today because the universal truths it represents are truly the real hope of all mankind.
The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage – Thucydides
President Franklin Roosevelt spoke about four freedoms: the freedom of speech & expression; the freedom of worship; the freedom from want and the freedom from fear. I’m reminded on this day, those freedoms don’t come without a cost… a personal cost, a regional cost, and a national cost.
History shows the path to liberty invariably involves conflict. Conflict doesn’t always mean a war or a fight, it can be a regional or local challenge or your personal circumstances. So whatever your fighting and whether you are serving in politics as a local elected official, working in a local food shelter, volunteering at a local school, walking the beat as a constable, firefighter or EMT or serving in our armed forces know that your acts of service uphold and extend the very best of freedom in America.
For my friends in real estate sales, we are blessed to serve so many families in buying, selling or investing in real estate. We each have the freedom of the same 24 hours. Are you investing those hours to be the best version of you? Are you serving your community at the highest level? Take a look at what my friend JP Piccinini wrote about the 7 S’s of success… those same principles could be the 7 S’s of freedom. The choice is yours.
#WinTheDay #ExceedingExpectations
by andrew | May 27, 2018 | Federal Holiday, Memorial Holiday, US Holiday
Memorial Day is much more than just a three-day weekend and a chance to get the year’s first sunburn. As we reflect on those we’ve lost and those that have served us, we trust you, your family and friends will enjoy this special holiday.
On May 30, 1868, President Ulysses S. Grant presided over the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where he said: “I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering words on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be beside the graves of fifteen-thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem the music of which can never be sung.”
A few other Memorial Day facts:
- It is customary on Memorial Day to fly the flag at half staff until noon, and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset.
- Taps, the 24-note bugle call, is played at all military funerals and memorial services. It originated in 1862 when Union General Dan Butterfield “grew tired of the ‘lights out’ call sounded at the end of each day.”
- The World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrea, inspired the Memorial Day custom of wearing red artificial poppies. In 1915, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael began a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to veterans and for “keeping the faith with all who died.” The sale of poppies has supported the work of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
- Set your alarm! In 2000, Congress established a National Moment Of Remembrance, which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. in an act of national unity. The time was chosen because 3 p.m. “is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.”
Hold your loved ones close and enjoy the freedom of this amazing holiday.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
– John. F. Kennedy
