The single word
that best describes a fulfillment
of the duties of civic virtue
is patriotism.
Citizens should be patriotic.
My favorite prescription for patriotism
is that of Adlai Stevenson:
“What do we mean by patriotism
in the context of our times? …
A patriotism that puts country ahead of self;
a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion,
but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”
I close with a poetic prayer.
It is familiar to everyone in the United States,
because U.S. citizens sing it in one of their loveliest hymns.
It expresses gratitude to God for liberty,
and it voices a prayer that He will continue
to bless them with the holy light of freedom:
Our fathers’ God, to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light.
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King!
______
Happy Independence Day.
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Messages for Elder Caraway