Happy 4th of July,

July 4th in the U.S.A. is a celebration of a hard-won liberty.  Lives were lost, people risked their lives and fortunes to prove that a people could govern themselves and create an environment where EVERYONE had the freedom to pursue happiness and prosperity.

There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Of those 56, five signers were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Their families were scattered and their wives and children died.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
Hard-won freedoms, but they believed in what they were standing for and were willing to give their all.

Since that day, 1,300,000 Americans have lost their lives continuing to hold the line for liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As a citizen of the USA, I personally wish to honor those men and women who continue to answer the call.  America has changed, we are applying more and more restrictions to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  But, the call to liberty is no less vital and desired today then it ever was.

I hope you will ENJOY this day with family and friends no matter WHERE YOU LIVE in this beautiful world. I also look forward to continuing to help you pursue your freedom to attain TIME and FINANCIAL PROSPERITY. I look forward to your continued success and growth as a Person and future leader!

Health, Happiness and Prosperity,

HAGO...Have A Good One 
The Dean, SNP
 dean@themeniers.com 

America The Beautiful

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version in 1893. She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. Her final version was written in 1913.

Here is a note from Katharine Lee Bates:

"One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."

America the Beautiful - 1913

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!