America will celebrate its 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026. This special day marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The 4th of July is, therefore, an important day for the citizens of the United States as the country became free and declared its independence from tyranny in 1776. This could not have been made possible without the efforts of our leaders and the sacrifices our soldiers made. It is a day to celebrate freedom.
We also recognize that, on July 4, 1802, the U.S. Military Academy officially opened at West Point.

The military forms an integral part of a country. Without a military, the people of the nation cannot live in peace and safety. The military is responsible for the security of the country and works tirelessly and selflessly with a sense of pride. Every soldier in the military is the personification of sacrifice, bravery, courage and dedication. They are away from their families, with only the safety of the nation in mind.

Every soldier in the military has to be saluted by all the citizens and given the highest respect and honor. The strength of a country’s military depends not on the number of soldiers, but on the courage they possess. As General Eisenhower said, “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight — it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States. Its history began the morning of September 14, 1814, when an attorney and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key watched U.S. soldiers — who were under bombardment from British naval forces during the War of 1812 — raise a large American flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.

By the 1890s, the U.S military had adopted the song for ceremonial purposes, playing it to accompany the raising and lowering of the colors. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating it “The National Anthem of the United States.” In 1931 — more than 100 years after it was composed — Congress passed a measure declaring “The Star- Spangled Banner” as the official national anthem. Even before the song’s designation as the national anthem, it had been one of America’s most popular patriotic tunes for more than a century.

Freedom is a gift, given to us by our freedom fighters. They had to struggle to win independence and sacrificed their whole lives so that we could live in a free country. Let their sacrifice not go in vain. Let us promise to work hard towards making America a better nation each and every day — free from corruption, violence and the ever-increasing threat of terrorism.

Happy Independence Day to all and especially to Our Brothers and Sisters around the world — some of whom are in harm’s way — that they get home safe and enjoy this day here with their families.

Our Prayers are with You.

God Bless You and God Bless America.

Kenneth J. Nevor
President/Chairman