I was born in Revolution, July 4, 1776, but my revolution was about freedom for all, not just the privileged few. The blood lines of the world run through my veins because I stand for freedom for all – regardless of race, creed or national origin. I am three hundred million souls and each one represents the past, present and future of my freedom.

I am Washington at Valley Forge, Paul Revere’s ride, Lincoln at Gettysburg and Ike praying on the beach before D-Day. I cherish the memory of those who died protecting my freedom at the Alamo, Pearl Harbor, the cold slopes of Korea, the steaming jungles of Vietnam, the dusty sands of the Middle East, and the concrete streets of New York City.

I am computer chips in the Silicon Valley, steel mills in Pittsburg, furniture factories in High Point, skyscrapers in New York City (a couple are missing), and Mom and Pop businesses all across my map providing the very backbone of my free enterprise system.

I am sandlot baseball games in Ohio, playground basketball in Harlem and kids shooting marbles in Elba, Alabama.

I am children enjoying Disney World in Orlando, Universal Studios in Hollywood, and ThunderRoad at Carrowinds in Charlotte.

I am Babe Ruth, Yankee Stadium, the World Series, volleyball on Carolina beaches, High School football in Texas, tennis at Forest Hills, and golf at the Augusta National. But, I’m also T-ballers in ballparks all across the land, dreaming of “hitting it out” for the first time.

I am Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, David Letterman and funny stories being woven around crossroad country stores to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.

I am Mark Twain and the mighty Mississippi, kayakers on the rapids of the Colorado River, a fly-fisherman on a trout stream in Montana and Sunday rafters on the Nantahala.

I am the Ballot Box, the Bill of Rights, the bald eagle, the voting machine, the City Council, the Mayor, the Governor, the Congress, the President of my 50 states seeking to implement government of the people, and printed on my currency is my motto, “In God We Trust.”

I am America. I stand for freedom. It’s really your freedom handed down from those who have gone before you. Celebrate it, cherish it and pass it on to a world looking for freedom.

(This was in a church bulletin from Longs Chapel United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC).Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.