THE
PRESIDENT: Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a safe and happy
4th of July weekend. I'm looking forward to spending Independence Day
with members of our Armed Forces and their families at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina. These brave men and women risk their lives to defend the
ideals of our founding generation, and I will have the honor of thanking
many of them personally for their service in freedom's cause.
In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's
Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the
great anniversary festival. He wrote that "this anniversary should be
commemorated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells,
bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,
from this time forward, forever more."
Since then, generations of Americans have done just that. Each year
we look forward to the family gatherings and the grand celebrations that
take place across the Nation on the 4th of July. And amid the music and
barbeques and fireworks, we give thanks for our freedom, and we honor
the bravery and sacrifices of all those who have made that freedom
possible.
On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our
Nation's founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and
live in freedom. Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the
lives and achievements of our founders, and we have learned once again
that they possessed extraordinary talents, as well as ordinary human
failings, which only makes their accomplishments all the more
remarkable.
For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was
far from certain. They were certain only of the cause they served -- the
belief that freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The
strength of their convictions made possible the birth of the free Nation
in which we are blessed to live.
On the 4th of July we also honor the sacrifices made by each American
generation to secure the promises of the Declaration of Independence.
For more than two centuries, from the camps of Valley Forge, to the
mountains of Afghanistan, Americans have served and sacrificed for the
principles of our founding.
Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our freedom
against determined and ruthless enemies. At this hour, the men and women
of our Armed Forces are facing danger in distant places, carrying out
their missions with all the skill and honor we expect of them. And their
families are enduring long separations from their loved ones with great
courage and dignity. Our troops and our military families deserve all
our support and gratitude, and on this 4th of July weekend, I ask every
American to find a way to thank those who defend our freedom. To find
out about efforts in your community, please visit the website
AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
As we celebrate the 4th, we also remember that the promises of
liberty contained in our Declaration apply to all people. Because
Americans believe that freedom is an unalienable right, we value the
freedom of every person in every nation. And because we are committed to
the God-given worth of every life, we strive to promote respect for
human dignity. Today, all who live in tyranny and all who yearn for
freedom can know that America stands with them.
As citizens of this good Nation, we should be proud of our heritage,
grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future.
Two-hundred-and-thirty years after America declared its independence,
the spirit of '76 lives on. And our Nation remains proud to carry
freedom's torch. We still place our trust in the protections of divine
providence. We still pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred
honor to freedom's defense. And we still believe in the promise of
freedom for all.
Thank you for listening.