Every American generation had its trials and patriots of consequence who rose to meet the challenges of the time. From the fields of Lexington to the stairwells of the Twin Towers, men and women who value this nation beyond its faults have given their last full measure in the name of our collective posterity. They, as well as those who embraced the tenets of “life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, understood that while America like all nations, will always strain under the weight of human transgression, the words in our founding documents set us apart from the tyrannies of history.

For “We the People” of the 21^st Century however, our “trial” seems to be an obvious lack of the aforementioned courage of conviction. All around us we hear the incessant drum beat of feigned outrage and self-validation, while free speech is first qualified and morality re-defined in the name of political correctness. Moreover, those we elect to be watchdogs over our liberty are either ideologically warped, ignorant of true history, or simply purchased by the highest bidder. Where are our heroes?

This is not to say there aren’t still brave men and woman on the front lines, defending their foolish compatriot’s right to wear the black mask of cowardice and whine about this or that. But what of hard work, family and faith? What about “United we stand, divided we fall”? What about understanding your nation and its heritage before screaming about things you’re completely ignorant of? Oh, and what about truth? Does truth matter any longer, or is it the new hate speech?

All valid questions as we seek to do as our parents sought to do before us, that being leave a better nation for our children. Or maybe that’s not what we do any longer…? Wake up, oh sleeping America…