For over 244 years, we have been bound by the principles and ideals that are spelled out in our country’s founding documents. The Oath of Allegiance affirms us of our unalienable rights proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence document. It is by making a commitment to our country that we enjoy the rewards as a United States citizen. 

Some of our guaranteed rights are: the right to vote; the ability to serve as juror and our strength as a citizen allows us to participate in the governing process as the will of the people. Superior -- to even the President -- is the role of a citizen by making our vote count and making our voice be heard.  

We also have the rights of freedom of speech; peaceable assembly and we can petition the government for redress of grievances. Our treasured freedom of speech is guaranteed as long as we do not endanger others or block others’ freedom of expressing their thoughts too. We can choose our religion or can choose not to follow a religion -- as a basic right. If you are accused of a crime, you are guaranteed a speedy and fair trial by a jury of your peers and are assumed innocent until proven guilty.

Our Constitution protects the rights of each individual to have guns for personal defense, with reasonable restrictions on purchasing them by unfit persons or those with criminal intentions.

The choice of who leads us, is made by citizens getting out and voting for the persons they feel will best represent their interests. This is the very essence of our free society.

We also have the right to apply for employment with the federal government and, as a United States citizen, you can run for an elected office. The only exception is that the President and Vice President must be native-born citizens.
 
 Another unalienable right is freedom to pursue “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We are not guaranteed happiness but we are guaranteed the opportunity to choose our own goals and objectives. Our pursuits, however, cannot interfere with the rights of others. 

 However, with our privileges and rights come our responsibilities. Sometimes we forget about responsibilities, especially when we feel our privileges are being restricted. So, what responsibilities come with our rights? I had to refresh my mind of the expectations my country has of me as a citizen. 
 
Our Nation depends on its citizen to defend these Constitutional principles against all adversaries -- foreign and domestic. 

We are expected to stay informed of issues in our community, such as who is running for office and keep the candidates and laws responsive to the needs of its citizens -- we the people.

We are required to use the democratic process by voting in local and federal elections to be sure our voices are clearly heard by elected officials. 

We agree to follow the rules of conduct by authorities to maintain order in our free society. We must obey the laws established federally, state-wide and locally. 

We agree to respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others. This is a basic value that unites us as one nation. Showing tolerance, courtesy and respect for beliefs of each other ensures freedom for many future generations. 

As a responsible citizen, we are to actively participate in our local community. We can volunteer, go to town meetings and attend public hearings and presentations. We can look for ways to contribute to the well-being of our town. 

We agree to pay income and other taxes to federal, state and local authorities. Our monies pay for government services through education, safety for country, medical services to elderly and less fortunate citizens and keep these available for the future.

We also agree to serve as a juror if called on. We promise to see the “accused” as innocent and help provide their rights to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of peers. We are to take this responsibility seriously and serve with fairness. It is an important part of our citizenship.

Finally, we promise to defend our country if it is needed. The armed forces at present are on a volunteer basis but, in case of war, it is needed that all citizens come together and defend our country, through military, noncombatant and/or civilian services.  

Now we have explored our rights, and our responsibilities, let’s look at how we chose to express the values and ideals of our country through song, symbols, emblems, solemn oaths, et cetera.

Many of our songs, we have heard since childhood: The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, I Hear America Singing and other ones too. On the radio today, I heard Lee Greenwood sing God Bless the USA. I would add that as a patriotic song too.  

The Great Seal of the United States and the Flag of the United States of America are key symbols of our country and our citizens. The Flag -- originally authorized by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 -- honored thirteen states with thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen stars in a circle in the upper left corner.

As our country expanded, more states were added. Congress changed the design of the flag twenty-seven times and, since 1959, the flag has had fifty stars and thirteen stripes. Congress established June 14th of each year as Flag Day. The town of Payson, Arizona has been deemed the Flag Capital of Arizona as it proudly displays the most flags on that day. 

Do you recall what The Great Seal of the United States looks like? It was on July 4, 1776 that Congress appointed a committee to create the seal. It was finalized and approved on June 20, 1782. I was interested to finally learn the symbolism and more details of this Great Seal.

I learned that the Seal has a front side and a reverse side. The front side has the bald eagle, (our national bird) holding in his beak a banner with the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” (“out of many, one”) signifying one nation created from thirteen separate colonies. The eagle’s right claw clutches an olive branch (symbol of peace and the left claw holds a bundle of thirteen arrows (war.) A shield covers the eagle’s breast with thirteen stripes: red (signifying valor and bravery); white (for purity and innocence) and blue (signifying vigilance, perseverance and justice.) Above the eagle’s head is a cloud surrounding a blue field with thirteen stars making a constellation which represented our new Nation becoming a sovereign power. 

 

The reverse side contains a thirteen-step pyramid dated 1776 in Roman numerals at base. Above the pyramid is the Eye of Providence with motto Annuit Coeptis: He (God) favors our undertakings.” Beneath the pyramid, Novus Ordo Seclorum (New Order of the Ages) signifying the New American era. This side is used on postage stamps, military uniforms, U.S. passports and above doors of United States Embassies worldwide. Look on your one-dollar bill and you will see both sides of the Seal. 

Do you know what the current motto of our United States is? On July 30, 1956, President Eisenhower approved Congress establishing the phrase, “In God We Trust,” as our national motto. This replaced the official motto of 1776 of “E Pluribus Unum.” This motto was placed on all gold and silver coins and then put on all U.S. paper money since 1963. 

Probably one of our most precious documents is The Declaration of Independence. After Britain’s ongoing restrictive measures and levied taxations for many years on her colonies in America, the colonists rebelled. Congress approved writing the Declaration of Independence -- mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. The document included these words, “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.” On July 2,1776, this document was presented to Congress. On July 4, 1776, Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. 

It’s interesting to me that of the fifty-six signers, eight were born in foreign countries. And many of our prominent Americans were foreign born. You may recognize these people: John Paul Jones, Alexander Hamilton, Alexander Graham Bell, Joseph Pulitzer, Sister Frances X. Cabrini, Albert Einstein, Igor Stravinsky, Knute Rockne, Irving Berlin, Marlene Dietrich, Bob Hope, to name a few. 

As citizens of the United States, we have many opportunities each day to help our fellow citizens. It may be just a smile or friendly nod with eye contact. It is the American way to include others rather than exclude them. I recall when I was in school, I was entered into a state-wide contest called, “I am an American.” We were to write our essay on what makes us an American and present it in front of the judges. At that time, I was studying American history and I felt a certain honor and pride to write about why I loved being an American. I won the contest and got a sizeable cash prize. I was elated -- then deflated as my mom made me put my prize money in my savings account! But I do remember the feeling of being so proud to be part of this great country. 

I invite each of us to appreciate what we have as our freedoms. Even though we are experiencing trying and uncertain times, we can fortify ourselves and give encouragement to our family, friends, and strangers by just looking at our dollar bill and reading “In God We Trust.” Believing in something that is greater than our challenges, beyond our imagination of what limitless is and a guiding light that sees far beyond our mortal minds is our safety.

May your days be beautiful and the spirit of what it means to be a true American empower you and reward you many times over. God bless the United States of America!.