4th of July, Quotes, Sayings and a Poem in Celebration of Independence Day

Independence Day or most commonly referred to as Fourth of July is the holiday most associated with Summer. The day for fireworks, parades, barbecues, going to the lake or beach, picnics, and family reunions, to name a few.

Fourth of July is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays in celebration of the birthday of the United States of America, and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. But most importantly Independence Day is a great opportunity to thank those who make our freedom possible.

In honor of the 4th of July, here are some of my favorite Independence Day quotes, sayings, and poem:

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"I always have the most fun on the Fourth of July. You don't have to exchange any gifts. You just go to the beach and watch fireworks. It's always fun." ~James Lafferty

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"Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice."~Unknown

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"America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact – the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality." ~Adlai Stevenson

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We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit. ~Hubert H. Humphrey

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"My patriotic heart beats red, white, and blue." ~Unknown

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"Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people." ~Abraham Lincoln

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"May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!" ~Daniel Webster

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"Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall." ~John Dickinson

Just A Common Soldier

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He was getting old and paunchy
and his hair was falling fast
And he sat around the Legion
telling stories of the past,
Of a war that he had fought in
and the deeds that he had done
In his exploits with his buddies;
they were heroes, everyone.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors,
his tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened,
for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
for old Bob has passed away
And the world's a little poorer,
for a soldier died today.

No he won't be mourned by many,
just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary
very quiet sort of life,
He held a job and raised a family,
quietly going on his way;
And the world won't note his passing;
'tho a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing
and proclaim that they were great,
Papers tell of their life stories
from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier
goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
to the welfare of our land
Some jerk who breaks his promise
and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow
who in times of war and strife
Goes off to serve his Country
and offers up his life?
The politician's stipend
and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate
to the services he gives,
While the ordinary soldier,
who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal,
and perhaps a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them,
for it was so long ago
That our Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's
went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians,
with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
that our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger
with your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out
with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier
who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin, and country,
and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier
and his ranks are growing thin
But his presence should remind us,
we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
in the paper that might say:
OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY. 

~A. Lawrence Vaincourt

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July! Happy Birthday, America!

2 Comments

  1. Jayme – My pleasure! I shared it with my son, too. 🙂

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