Historic documents still resonate, inspire

  • Published
  • By Col. Oreste Varela
  • 514th Operations Group
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  As you read this, the 4th of July will have come and gone. Many of us will have participated in various events in our local communities and beyond.

John Adams, who would go on to become the second president of the United States, predicted the historical impact of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In a letter to his wife Abigail, he wrote, "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

John Adams was not a prognosticator but he was one of America's founding fathers who recognized a great moment in our history. This moment in time, which literally changed the world, was but the signing of a piece of paper.

On this document, words so eloquently penned, yet powerful in their meaning, have defined our nation, and in doing so, defined us as a people.

Please read these first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence slowly, and please reflect on them.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Entire libraries could be devoted to the academic works related to the Declaration. I can add little to the volumes of research and analysis. I offer you a quote from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" which was read aloud to the Colonial Army at Valley Forge December 1776 by order of General George Washington, who believed it would inspire his soldiers. I hope it inspires you as it has me.

"Heaven knows how to put a price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated. The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, say some, is the king of America? I'll tell you, friend, He reigns above .... The Almighty implanted in us these inextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians of His image in our heart. They distinguish us from the herd of common animals."