COMMENTARY: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof” Published July 15, 2014 By Command Chief Master Sergeant James M. Nudd 442d Fighter Wing WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- My 1st meaningful recollection of Independence Day, or as we better know it nowadays as "the 4th of July", was back in 1976, when as a 10-year old I was fortunate enough to have attended a bicentennial event where I witnessed several Independence Day reenactments and readings. For the first time in my life, I remembered hearing the words inscribed on the Liberty Bell being read "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof". Upon hearing these words, I quickly reflected back to some of the history lessons I learned in school about the revolutionary war and the foundations and principals on which this country were founded. This profound statement all of sudden rang loud for me on how our new found freedom and the eventual establishment of the United States of America. The image of the Liberty Bell to this day still identifies our struggles to attain independence and was the instrument that signaled the beginning of a new nation founded on principals and beliefs of freedom. Every year at the onset of summer, the majority of Americans eagerly look forward to "the 4th of July", America's birthday and the only major holiday of the summer season. Also, the only holiday dedicated solely to the founding of our great country. I realized and gained an appreciation for this holiday and the significance it played in our history and the liberties I had grown up enjoying. Some look for the well-deserved time away from work, while others for the barbecues and festivities associated with the holiday and the young at heart for the fireworks later on that evening. All too often the fading history associated with this holiday is innocently overshadowed by these activities and events. To those who have served in the military, the history associated with Independence Day has a much deeper and richer meaning. It is during this time that our military members and veterans take a step back, bow their heads, pay homage and remember those gallant warriors who bucked the system all those years ago and laid down their lives for what would end up being the longest on-going constitutional republic in history. A republic that over the years would be tested by; multiple wars including, one that tested the very fabric of our being (the Civil War), numerous financial and natural disasters and other events that challenged our nation's ability to survive, sustain independence, preserve our identity, freedom and way of life. It is during this time of year we celebrate this freedom and cherish what our ancestors stood up for and sacrificed. Yet, because of these beliefs and threats to our freedom, today our warriors are still fighting to help preserve this liberty and freedom here at home and abroad while also ensuring the borders of our country remain vigilant to those who would threaten our way of life. So on this Independence Day, let the words of the Liberty Bell ring loud and long during your celebrations and please keep our deployed Airmen in your thoughts and prayers while they continue to ensure and protect our freedom and liberties like our ancestors before them.