Annie's Mailbox®, July 4
by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar
Dear Readers: Today is July 4th and the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The following was written in 1955 (readers can update the statistics if they choose). We hope you enjoy it:
I Am The Nation
by Otto Whittaker
I was born on July 4, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate. The bloodlines of the world run in my veins, because I offered freedom to the oppressed. I am many things and many people ...
( Back to Article )
Join the Discussion
|
3 Comments | Post Comment
|
Posted by: CLRyan
Comment: #1
Fri Jul 4, 2008 6:04 AM
Originally written in 1955 as a promotional piece for a railroad magazine, Otto Whittaker's piece has been used, abused, revamped and rewritten by well intentioned people across the years. It has been set to music, used in advertising, and in any number of civic events. Manynewspapers and columnists cite it every Fourth of July. It is, very truly, a stirring piece.
But one thing should likely be made clear each time it is gratefully brought to center stage for a big red, white,and blue bow -- whether it is the original or a revision, an adaptation to render it more contemporary and politically correct. While it is not improper to make it more timely, it is also unfair to readers to revise history without a proper disclaimer that it is no longer as Otto Whittaker penned in 1955.
So, for the clarity and historical accuracy, the original contained no mention of "the steaming jungles of Vietnam" or of Martin Luther King.
|
Posted by: Darlene
Comment: #2
Sun Jul 6, 2008 6:53 PM
As a member of the Navy Reserve, I read with interest the letter by DW of ND that mentioned the successful passing of legislation by Sen. Jim Inhofe of OK that would direct servicemembers both past and present to salute during the National Anthem, even if out of uniform.
Before bringing this to the attention of my unit, I perused the Senator's website and it was clear that the bill is still in committee and has yet to become law. Please clarify this for your readers as I'm sure servicemembers wish to render proper honors to their Country's flag.
|
Posted by: Darlene
Comment: #3
Sun Jul 6, 2008 7:08 PM
It was with great interest that I read the letter of DW from ND that mentioned successful passing of legislation by Sen. Jim Inhofe of OK that would require servicemembers both past and present to render a salute during the National Anthem, even if out of uniform.
Before bringing this to the attention of my unit, I perused the Senator's website and found that the bill is still in committee. Please clarify this for your readers as it is certain that servicemembers would sincerely wish to render proper honors to this fine country.
|
|
|
|
