"Oh, oh, oh, just listen to the music!”

I can hardly wait for July 4th! Every year I'm more grateful for my American Independence. I had to laugh, today, when I heard that one of our esteemed halls of ivy claims Fourth of July celebrations are not good for democracy. According to a Harvard University study, kids who participate in this holiday are more likely to grow up to be Republicans. That probably makes some sense if we're just talking about labels. After all, America is not a democracy, rather having been conceived as a republican form of government.



But, then labels do not a country make, at least not this country! Fortunately, we are free to march to our own drums in America, argue our heads off and call ourselves and each other any names we want. That makes me ever fonder of crooning this song along my own parade route:



There's a long, long trail a-winding
Into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing
And a white moon beams:
There's a long, long night of waiting
Until my dreams all come true;
Till the day when I'll be going down
That long, long trail with you.



Written in 1915, its words were penned by Stoddard King and its music by Alonzo "Zo" Elliott; the song proved popular among America's newly-departed Doughboys during WWI. I figure if it was good enough for those guys to march to, it's good for me, too!



It was also good for me to start out this year touring The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, the first of its kind in the United States, built and operated by a non-profit organization. Since its opening in June of 2009, this world-class facility right outside the gates of the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence, honors infantrymen, past, present and future. Throughout the 190,000-square-foot museum, visitors may take an interactive journey through every war fought by the U.S. over the past two centuries.



The museum tells the heroic story of everyday Infantrymen through an enviable collection of more than 30,000 artifacts. Era galleries trace Infantry history from before the Revolutionary War to action today in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a special gallery recognizing Medal of Honor recipients and one that pays tribute to those who love an Infantryman, and the sacrifices they make supporting him.



I was drawn to this tribute by my oldest grandson's graduation from Army basic training. The ceremony was a moving tribute to the ongoing strength of our American way, conducted at the adjacent Patriot Park that includes a parade field composed of earth collected from every American battlefield.



Once again in mid-2011, reports of war weariness on the home front remind me that sometimes people need reminding what our American military is all about. Whether through the draft of our nation's past or the current volunteer recruitment process, somehow America continues to produce many strong young people who recognize the value to themselves of serving our country. Although it is true that a steady job, benefits and future higher education possibilities may be the initial draw these days, what better motive than the determination to achieve self-reliance?



Looking forward to Independence Day 2011, I thank God that our American military still protects and preserves the soul as well as the soil of our exceptional nation. May we all add our support for those in our halls of government who likewise honor our good old U.S.A.!



HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO EVERYONE!