We once again more thankfully celebrate another birthday for America. This year in the life of our nation has been one of uncertainty, discomfort and serious adjustment. Although this July Fourth of 2009 finds us in a financial recovery mode, we have not lost the faith on our ability to bounce back and emerge even stronger.
America the beautiful and great has survived many obstacles, wars, recessions and national crises of all types. Through and by our united efforts during these testing and traumatic times in our illustrious history, we again redefine and display the true fiber of democratic freedom, pledged allegiance and determination.
Our American patriotism and trust in God have been and shall continue to be our daily source of strength, faith and hope for the future. It is impossible to divorce our attitude of gratitude from the celebration of our nation’s birthday.
The courage and dedication of our founders must forever flow through our veins of national pride. It only takes one generation to begin the deterioration of our American honor and dignity and the slow erosion of our love of country and determined efforts to maintain and enlarge that pride.
Let the bands play and the fireworks burst forth in all their glory. May the awesome beauty and flickering explosions of brilliant light punctuate the darkening night sky and be a reminder and symbol of our democracy and its enlightened and illuminating influence to all the world throughout our nation’s history.
We will celebrate the Fourth of July with the usual gusto and fanfare. But in the midst of all the picnics and joyous celebrations, we should momentarily whisper a prayer of gratefulness for the blessing of being born or adopted Americans.
July 4, 2009 may find us a bit bruised, but we are bruised together. It may find our armed forces in harm’s way all over the world, but we are attacked together. It may find us struggling for hope in the future, but we will still find hope together. Together we stand or divided we fall, for we are proudly and eternally devoted Americans. God bless our America on her birthday. He has surely shed His grace upon us.
— Elton Slusser
Opinion
We are proud and devoted Americans
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Bill Stewart was indeed ‘special person’ as coach and off the field
Bill Stewart enjoyed the highest of highs during his time as West Virginia University’s head football coach.
Stewart, who died at age 59 on Monday of an apparent heart attack while participating in a golf tournament at Stonewall Resort, coached the Mountaineers to a 48-28 win over heavily favored Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. -
State economy being altered by booming natural gas era
A new horizontal well in Tyler County produced an amazing 7 million cubic feet of natural gas in a single day, along with 650 barrels of valuable liquids: ethane, propane, butane and pentane.
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‘Operation Blue Haze’ is example of cooperation in war on drugs
Amazing things happen when agencies pool their resources and work together.
And a shining example of that is “Operation Blue Haze,” which targeted street-level, mid-level and upper-level drug dealers and resulted in arrest warrants filed for 53 people on drug, trafficking and weapons charges. -
How can an inmate run for president?
Anyone can grow up to be president.
A boy who lived in a one-room log cabin with his family in Kentucky — Abraham Lincoln. -
County Project Graduation must have support and volunteers
Certainly Fairmont will be having another of its famous all-night student parties following graduation this year.Well, it will, won’t it?We hope so.
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Exercise control over ballot access to make elections serious business
Elections are serious business.Candidates make their best pitch to voters, who have the power to hire and fire government leaders.
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Marion County school system shows that it’s getting stronger
The accolades keep coming for schools within the Marion County system.
Last week, U.S. News and World Report released its annual list of best high schools in the nation and then a state-by-state report with even more details. -
Mothers are the family glue that always holds everything together
Our country is truly indebted to Anna Jarvis from our neighboring Taylor County for her inspiration and dedication in founding an annual Mother’s Day. Of all our national celebrations, Mother’s Day allows us an opportunity to honor and celebrate the role of motherhood.
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Trip to Afghanistan ‘excessive celebration’?
Membership has its privileges.
And so does being an incumbent running for office. -
It’s weekend to celebrate for college grads in area
The last exams have been taken. The final projects have been evaluated. Books and notes have been shoved to the side, and students around the region are wrapping up the last few requirements of their college careers.
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Bill Stewart was indeed ‘special person’ as coach and off the field
