As the United States of America celebrates its 246th birthday, I feel compelled to reflect on the 65 years I have been blessed to be a citizen of this great nation. I also consider the 45 years since my blog buddy, Neville, from the UK, first stepped onto American soil. Over these years, the two of us have explored both of our countries and interacted with many of the people who inhabit these lands.

We have both gained a profound appreciation and love for this country and the diverse array of citizens and visitors who make it so special. As fond as I am of his great Nation, we both love and respect America and wish to celebrate this special day, July 4th, Independence Day.

To celebrate Independence Day, I tried my hand at penning these words:

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With courage bold and vision clear,
Founders set forth, with hearts sincere.
They penned the words, a timeless decree,

A beacon of liberty, for all to see.

Through trials and triumphs, we’ve grown strong,

A tapestry of voices, in a unified song.
From every land, we come to stand,
Together in this bountiful land.

Let us celebrate with joyous cheer,
The birth of a nation we hold dear.
With pride and honor, we proclaim,
Our love for this land, forever the same.

In every heart, a patriotic flame,
Burns brightly in freedom’s name.
For in this nation, diverse and free,
We find our strength, our unity.

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By clicking on this link, please listen to the beautiful voice of Mr. Ray Charles as he sings “America The Beautiful“.

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At this time, while we celebrate the birth of this great country, I would like to encourage everyone to register to vote and let your voice be heard. If you have not registered yet, please use this link to register now. By taking part is State, Local, and National elections your voice can be heard. Remember, 2024 is an election year!

Cheers, nca