On this day, in 1776, thirteen colonies declared their independence of Great Britain. A revolutionary war began. A new nation, the United States of America, was in the process of becoming.
Thirteen long years later, and after many deaths and much destruction, the Constitution of the United States of America was finally adopted.
Last week, the new Iraqi government came into existence, its new government under the interim leadership of a body of its citizens. Iraq's new birth of freedom came after a brutal and bloody war that is not yet ended, a war led by the United States of America.
Sometimes between now and the year 2006, Iraq will have free elections and will adopt a new Constitution.
From our "rebellion" in 1776 to the adoption of our Constitution in 1789, thirteen years of confusion, military battles, and political wars ensued.
It took us thirteen years. It will take the Iraqi's several years.
It is both helpful and wise for us to remember on this anniversary of our birth of freedom and independence that liberty is not easily achieved and is always under attack.
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom: then, now and into the future. But it is a price worth paying. |
