Look at founders' intent on holiday

Independence Day.  What usually comes to mind is what John Adams wrote to his wife after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  He said the Fourth should “be solemnized with pomp and parade - with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.”

John Adams prophetically pictured what would come to pass and what would be carried on as tradition in this great country.  But what is often forgotten is the rest of how he said Independence Day was to be celebrated.  The Fourth of July should “be commemorated as a day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

Surprising?  Not if you know our Founding Fathers and their intent for the United States.  This country was up against insurmountable odds, namely the best trained military in the world, and yet they still pulled through.

Luck?  No, as the Declaration itself says, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Protection, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”  Those 56 men signed this with a firm reliance on Divine Providence.  They knew that the only way they could succeed was to put their trust in God, as must we if we are to continue to be the great United States of America.

BRADY SMITH

Sagle