ON THIS LAST FOURTH OF JULY OF THE 20TH CENTURY IT WOULD SEEM, WE GATHER WITH FAMILY, AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS CELEBRATED HOLIDAY WITH AN ATTITUDE TAKEN FOR GRANTED; FREEDOM'S RING; WE WATCH WITH EAGER ANTICIPATION THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY. A CENTURY GONE, REMEMBERANCE REMAINS.

FOR MOST IT IS THAT. A DISPLAY OF PYROTECHNICAL EXPERTISE STAGED FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AND JOY OF THE VIEWING PUBLIC. YET MOST FORGET THAT FOR EVERY ROCKET'S RED GLARE; BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR THAT THESE EXPLODING METEORS; PIN POINTS BRIGHT; ILLUMINATE AND REPRESENT THE ONE'S WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR FREEDOM'S BLESSINGS; FREEDOM'S RIGHT.

AS THESE HEROIC SHINING STARS OF LIBERTY FADE FROM OUR SIGHT; TWINKLING LIGHT, IT SERVES TO REMIND US OF THOSE WHO HAVE PROTECTED OUR FREEDOMS; AND FOR THOSE TO COME...THE FUTURE'S PRICE. WHO SHALL PICK UP THE GAUNTLET IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM'S NAME- A MARINE WILL STAND AS HE DID BEFORE, AS HE WILL AGAIN. TO GIVE HIS LIFE OR SUFFER PAIN THE COST IS HIGH YET NOT IN VAIN.

AS A MILLION PINPOINTS OF VALOR'S LIGHT FADE FROM OUR SIGHT; TO RISE AND FALL THIS GLORIOUS NIGHT; COME THE DAWN; BEHOLD ANOTHER WHO HAS MADE THIS SACRIFICE FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY FREEDOM'S RIGHT. HIS SHOOTING STAR; HIS PATRIOT LIFE; HUMBLED WE KNEEL, HIS LOSS NOT SLIGHT.

AS WE GATHER IN CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY OF THE 21ST CENTURY ON THAT GLORIOUS DATE. WE WILL REMEMBER THE PAST, THE PRICE OF FATE. A CENTURY OF WAR, THE COST OF PEACE. THE PRICE WE PAID AT ARLINGTON'S GATE.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THOSE WHO CHOSE FREEDOM'S FIGHT!

SEMPER FI!