The American's Creed by William Tyler Page:
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
I am a civilian, but I believe we all have the duties of a soldier; therefore, I also believe in the soldier's creed of the US Army:
I am an American Soldier.
I am a warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
We are less so today than in the past, but we are still independent and free.
My granddaddy taught me never to waste those things and appreciate them every day. Many would look at a hardscrabble farmer from rural Mississippi and not expect a man, such as him, to be as proud of America for what it had given him. He didn't have many material things, but he had a loving, steadfast, God-fearing partner in my grandmother and a house full of hard-working, honest and moral children who grew to invest those same characteristics in their children.
We are the heirs of indispensable people who carved this nation out of wilderness, grew bounty out of dust, and bent rivers to their will. We are the flag bearers of those who came before us. It is our time to shoulder the burdens so our children will be spared.
May God continue to bless this nation, see us through any coming conflict, whether it be domestic or abroad, and help us emerge stronger for the test.
May God bless each of you within the reach of these words and may they serve as a reminder that nothing good is easy. The best things often come from the worst beginnings.
I would not want to be our enemies.
I love you all as brothers and sisters in America and for you, I wish the best.
May you have a joyful and meaningful Independence Day.
"God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above..."
"If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away"
I celebrate two Independence Days; July 4, 1776, and February 2, 1966. The first when America became independent, the second when I came to America and gained my freedom 🇺🇸