Celebrating the 4th of July

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Break out the grills, fill the sky with fireworks and throw a parade! It's time to celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. That's right ... we adopted the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, declaring our independence from Great Britain. In my opinion, on that day we truly became "One Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All." 

We are a nation founded upon perfect principles (equality, freedom, justice, democracy) spelled out in near-perfect documents (the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights) ... a diverse nation that's comprised of dynamic people. We're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and yes, some inequalities still exist today. However, it's imperative we, as Americans, recognize how far we have come -- and how far we have yet to travel. People across the globe want what we have and that's the American Dream ... freedom, equality, Justice and democracy. In fact, every day thousands of people leave their homeland to come to the America to obtain their piece of the American Dream. 

On July 4, 2001, President George W. Bush captured the essence of the Declaration of Independence when he spoke outside Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pa., the birthplace of our Declaration of Independence. He said, that document continues to represent the standard to which we hold others, and the standard by which we measure ourselves. 

Our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to these ideals. Our greatest tragedies have come when we have failed to uphold them. As a nation we must always remember, "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." This excerpt from the Declaration of Independence doesn't just apply to Americans ... so we fight for mankind. 

We are engaged every single day in global operations, fighting the Global War on Terror, defending our homeland, providing strategic deterrence and giving our nation unparalleled Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. Nearly 35,000 of your Airmen are deployed across the globe. More than25,000 of your Airmen are deployed in the Global War on Terror. Approximately 800 of the 25,000 Airmen deployed are from Travis. Keep those defenders of freedom in your thoughts and prayers this Fourth of July as you enjoy the very freedoms they provide. 

The Fourth of July is a patriotic celebration filled with civic and social activities. As you and your family celebrate the birthday of the United States please give thanks for being an American, be safe and make responsible choices. We have an important mission here at Travis and we need everyone to accomplish our mission. As always may God bless and keep you as only he can and may Old Glory forever wave ... see you around campus.