Tuesday Trivia Tie-in #18 - What it's all about.

Welcome to Tuesday Trivia Tie-in, where I invite and encourage everyone to join, with a post about something they find interesting.

My posts are usually about one of the ties in my collection, but yours can be about anything!I only ask that you include some little known information that relates to your topic.

It's coming up on the Fourth of July, one of my favorite holidays. Maybe it's just because I hate to be told what to do, but the idea of declaring independence, and telling the king he isn't going to have old Troy to kick around any more seems right up my alley. I'd like to think that had I been around 234 years ago, my name would have been right there next to John Hancock.

In honor of Independence Day, I thought I'd show my Flag Tie. This tie, by Roberto Cellini is made from 100% genuine Polyester, using only the finest polyester fibers from specially grown Polyester plants.


OK, it isn't silk, but I still like it:

My flag tie and I went on a trip today, to see what we needed for the perfect 4th of July.

First, of course, we'd pack up a cooler, with all the fixins for hot dogs.


We looked at fancy-schmancy grills, but really all you need is a little grill to have a good time.

You need drinks, of course, and a bucket of ice to keep them in.
Some dessert



And a pillow to lay on and watch the fireworks, when you are all done eating.


That seemed like we had everything for the perfect picnic, after all isn't that what America is all about?

Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet?



But then I started thinking. What is it really all about?

I know that a Pledge of Allegiance is the opposite of a Declaration of Independence,
But to me, there is no better day than Independence Day, to stop and think about what I am saying every time I recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

So, lets look at it, one line at a time.

I pledge allegiance,

I promise loyalty

To The Flag of The United States of America

To an emblem, a symbol, a piece of red white and blue cloth.

And to the republic for which it stands.

And to the United States of America, which is represented by that symbolic piece of cloth.

One Nation.

The USA is 50 different states, but all are one nation and are all part of something greater than any one of the states.

Under God.

No matter how great that nation gets, though, we must remember that there is a power even greater than we can ever be.

Indivisible

A nation that can not be torn apart. People have tried. People have failed. A nation united, by trial and tribulation, by blood and sweat and tears. Many states, but we are truly one nation.

With liberty

We have freedom, more freedom that any other nation, to do, say, think, and act, as we wish.

and justice

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. With the freedom to act, comes an obligation to see to it that no one acts in a way that harms someone else.

for all.

That's all as in everybody. No matter what. A nation where all have the freedom to act, and all have the obligation to act responsibly. Where all have equal rights and equal accountability.

So maybe baseball, apple pie, hot dogs and Chevrolet aren't really what the Fourth of July is all about after all.

Maybe it is all about The freedom we have, and the obligation we have to ensure that others enjoy that freedom.

I want to take just a minute to thank those who serve in our armed forces, and their families, for the sacrifice they are making, to make sure that I get to enjoy those freedoms.

To make sure that I get to have liberty and justice. To make sure that I live in a nation, under God, that is indivisible.

And a special thank you to a soldier who is very important to me. He even told me I could use his picture, as long as I didn't do it in a way that would embarass him.

I can't call him my baby brother any more, at least not to his face, because he is taller, stronger and in way better shape than I am. But he will always be my little brother, and I am proud to be his brother.

PFC Solomon H.

Thank you, to you, and everyone who wears a uniform for our country. That's what it's really all about!

OK, now it's your turn.

Write a blog post about something that matters to you. Include some interesting information and link it here. Make sure and link to your post and not your main blog.