Greetings!

Our lives are filled with symbols:

• the fish on a bumper sticker,
• the elephant or donkey on a T‑shirt,
• the glowing Apple logo on a phone,
• the peach that represents our home state of Georgia.

But how often do we pause to consider
what these symbols truly mean?

Do we remember what they stand for?

In the photo above are three symbols that
form the foundation of the United States of America.

They represent our independence,
our shared values,
and the spirit of a people who chose freedom.

This Saturday, millions of Americans will celebrate.

But is it just “The Fourth” they’re celebrating?

Tom Wolfe once wrote about the flag,
reminding us that sometimes we don’t even realize
what we care about most—
because we get distracted by the symbols themselves.

So let’s not be distracted.

Let’s celebrate what these symbols stand for.

Between a beer and a hot dog, may we all pause for a moment, turn toward the flag in the front yard, and reflect on the meaning behind it—freedom, sacrifice, and the enduring promise of this nation.