[nathanbedford]

After considerable soul-searching I concluded again this year to publish a vanity which has been presented on every Independence Day for many years. The decision to publish the vanity is animated by a devotion to the country and should not be construed as an endorsement of the current censorship which after more than a month bars me from exchanging private mail or submitting public replies without prior approval both imposed with a zotting which itself is inexplicable and remains unexplained except for the cryptic, "never Trumpism."

The vanity is about a young man who is now in law school and it is preceded by an introduction we have used for years:

Every year my wife asks, "are you going to post your vanity about the Declaration of Independence again this year?" Her question is really rhetorical, she knows I intend to post it because it has become a tradition in the family much like whether your family opens your Christmas presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A family tradition for us such as what your family usually has for Christmas dinner, turkey or ham? Do you display the flag on Memorial Day?

For us, living as we do here in Germany, it is our way of holding fast to our America. So every year we keep the tradition and then await the reactions of FReepers which have been consistently gratifying and even heartwarming.

So the tradition goes on into its 10th year even as the imperative to return to and cling to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution becomes more urgent as our country attempts to recover from a terrible "fundamental transformation"

[GOPJ]

The vanity is about a young man who is now in law school...

Law School? That makes the story even sweeter. Thanks for the tradition.

[Gene Eric]

You certainly enjoy the long route to brevity.

God bless you and your family, FRiend.

[KarlInOhio]

DAD, WHAT's UNABHÄNGIGKEITSTAG?

Is that related to Ubahnfahrentag?

[TXBlair]

This was my first time to read your vanity. Thank you for educating your son about the U.S. and preparing him for life as a patriot. Your wife and you have served him well.

Thanks, also, for sharing your vanity as part of your holiday tradition. What a great way to stay connected with your FRiends through the many years and the many miles. Hopefully you can sprinkle a little red, white and blue over there; Germany desperately needs the Spirit of America!

Happy Independence Day, nathanbedford!!

[urbanpovertylawcenter]

Delightful!

[T-Bird45]

Along with TXBlair & does so, this is my first time to notice this vanity posting. I always enjoy your perspective as I think your status as an expatriate gives you a certain clarity to American issues. It’s also interesting to read of European attitudes toward American exceptionalism.

Congrats to your young man and best wishes on law school!

[Eagles6]

Cool.

[thesearethetimes...]

May God bless and keep you, and your family good sir, and may He watch over America on this Independence Day.

Tatt

[grey_whiskers]

Just gotta ask.

Do you hear any honesty (after a furtive look around to make sure Merkel's Stasi aren't listening, of course) about the ...well, to put it delicately, the importation of, "refugees"?

We've heard a lot of rumors in the States. But I imagine, just as the Germans hear trash about George Bush, we don't always get the man-in-the-street opinions from Germany.

Is the Son going to law school in Europe or the US? (Would've been nice if he'd gone to Tennessee, to learn under Glenn Reynolds aka Instapundit ;-) )

Nice vanity.

[Susquehanna Patriot]

Thank you for your decision to share your family tradition on this July 4th Independence Day. Live Free or Die.

[wastoute]

Thanks again. I have read it, and all your posts with pleasure. Happy 4th.

[reed13k]

I’ve had the pleasure a couple of years....I always wanted to know what he said when he came home that day...

[bravo whiskey]

Ausgezeichnet.

[Tucker39]

Dear NB,
If sometime you care to share some history about your namesake, and tell of his life AFTER the war, I’d be grateful. I’ve heard that Forrest got Saved, adopted a black child, and even did some gospel preaching later in life, but I don’t know of its veracity, if any. Thanks.

[corkoman]

Dear NB:

...for your enduring and steadfast support of our Republic, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, I pledge to you my life, fortune, and sacred Honor.

Your contributions here (and to your family) are priceless and treasured. Thank you.

[Trillian]

Happy Independence Day :)

[Moltke]

Gratulation zum Unabhängigkeitstag.