I’m not superstitious, or religious, but I have always been moved in an eerie, this has a larger meaning, way by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both dying on the 50th anniversary of the Fourth of July, Independence Day. The odds alone leave me in awe.

Although failing fast, Adams was determined to survive until the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—July 4, 1826. At dawn on that day he was awakened by his servant, who asked if he knew what day it was. He replied, “Oh, yes, it is the glorious fourth of July. God bless it. God bless you all.” He then slipped into a coma. In the afternoon he recovered consciousness briefly to murmur: “Thomas Jefferson lives.” These were his last words. Little did he know that Jefferson, incredibly, had also died on the 4th of July – just a few hours earlier.

(Jefferson’s last words? “Is it the Fourth? I resign my spirit to God, my daughter, and my country.”)

“I resign my spirit to God, my daughter and my country.” “It’s the glorious fourth of July. God Bless it. God bless you all.”

I would like to love my country that much. I want to find that part of me that cries at the Stars Spangled Banner, which is always preferable to my singing the Stars Spangled Banner. Ask anyone who has stood next to me when I belt it out. I used to feel that way, and I believe that great leadership might take me there again, but I recognize that I’m dependent on others to lead me there with their spirit and commitment; it’s not my own that paves that road for me.

The mini series John Adams by HBO, was by far and away the finest movie for TV or Cinema that I’ve ever seen. The sacrifice; the passion; the desire for freedom was shown in a way that made you feel it. Watch it if you haven’t and find from whence we come. It will change you in a profound way. It did me and anyone I know who watched it.

I leave you with the following poem as my gift. So happy birthday to all of us, and God Bless America and those that stand in harms way today on her behalf.

Our Independence Day

by Roger J. Robicheau

With our first fourth on that seventh month began

A declaration of how we would forge our life

In signature, John Hancock did lead by action

The beginning of a nation which has firmly stood

As we stop to embrace our Independence Day

We should reflect back from this sixth millennium year

Looking to the many trials we have faced as a country

Most vividly, to that infamous September morn

We have never, and never will succumb to threat

Our rigid foundation is of, by, and for the people

We heed the message of President John F. Kennedy

It is what we do for our country that stands us tall

As good citizens we put our trust in God, and each other

Under one flag we stand, united for all the world to see

Our Stars and Stripes form the Old Glory we so revere

And how gallant are those who march with our colors

As Americans, we hold freedom as a certainty

Our bravest have given their all to this end

If not for their willingness, we would not be

The cost of liberty demands this commitment

So many have endured the precious loss of loved ones

We must stay aware of the tragedy they live with

For they, more than any, feel the total cost of sacrifice

Praise their fallen heroes, they left freedom for us

My Dear Americans, as we take time to celebrate

This independence held so deep in our hearts

I hope that the following thoughts of America

Bring forth emotion, for the USA that we love

We shall always be ‘the land of the free’

We shall always be ‘the home of the brave’

We shall always hear ‘God Bless America’

We shall always love ‘Mom and Apple Pie’