July 4, 2012

Dear NJGCA Member:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS! 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A FESTIVE FOURTH OF JULY!

OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED ROAD WARRIOR TO RETURN ON JULY 13TH

Wow, this year is going quick!  I can hardly believe it, but tomorrow is the Fourth of July!

Though I know that many of you will be working tomorrow, I hope that all of you will take even a small part of the day to spend time with family and loved ones.  Be sure to eat a few hot dogs (the good kind and make sure you know how to cook'em!), enjoy some quality time with your children, and count your blessings that you live in the freest nation the world has ever know.

That last part is especially important.  As a small business owner, it’s very easy to get caught up in the daily grind and focus only on the negative.  Yes, taxes are high, regulations are burdensome, and the economy is still in the throws of a recession.  Sure, the business climate can always be better, and even if you could somehow create an additional 10 hours in a day, you still wouldn’t get caught up with it all.  

But I ask you, as big as these challenges are, do they define all of who you are?

It shouldn’t.  No matter where you grew up or where in the world your family immigrated from, part of what "defines" you is being an American.

Rather than considering your own daily trials, take a look at the depiction above and think about our Great American Experiment…Do you think those courageous few, who proclaimed our Independence on a hot summer day in Philadelphia and challenged the might of an Empire, could have foreseen the Experiment would continue 236 years later?  

Even if we sometimes forget, we have more blessings than we recognize.  Don’t forget to count them while you celebrate our Nation’s Birthday and enjoy a well deserved break with your families and loved ones!

As has become a bit of a tradition for us, I'd like to share with you the Red Skelton rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance, as I have edited it. Consider sharing this at your July 4th BBQ.

If you would like to hear Red Skelton as he spoke these words, click HERE

I: Me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge: A solemn promise to dedicate all of my worldly goods and give them without self pity.
Allegiance: My love, my loyalty, my devotion.
To The Flag: Our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom, wherever she waves there’s respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody’s Job.”
Of The United: That means we have all come together.
States: Individual communities that have united into fifty great States. Fifty individual communities with their own pride, their own dignity, and their own purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries - yet united to a common purpose – and that is “Love for Country.”
Of America: The identification, the name given this great land – known throughout the planet for its beauty and bountiful resources, and its wonderful and caring people.
And To The Republic: A state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people. And it is from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For Which It Stands: To hold our position. To assume and maintain our attitude, our conviction, and our course. To remain stable, valid, and intact.
One Nation: Meaning so blessed by God. Because we share common customs, common failures, common pain, and common joys.
Under God: The omnipotent and supernatural being that bestows our blessings.
Indivisible: Incapable of being divided.
With Liberty: Which is freedom, the right of power to live one’s own life without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation. Free of tyranny.
And Justice: The principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
For All: Which means my friends and fellow citizens, it is as much your country as it is mine.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.

Happy Independence Day from all of us at NJGCA!

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Thanks for listening – See you next week. 

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director