Loyalty Day

While there are many in our country who simply want to enjoy the freedoms that come with being an American, such benefits come at a high cost. Part of that cost is understanding how those freedoms were secured; and what maintains them from generation to generation. It isn’t our military. It isn’t any political party or elected official. The responsibility lies solely with us, and our loyalty to the principles on which this nation has existed for 250 years.

Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 each year: it’s a special holiday meant for us to reaffirm our loyalty to the United States of America; and recognize the heritage of our American freedom. While first recognized on May 1, 1955, Loyalty Day became an official annual holiday on July 18, 1958.

I hope you’ll join me in observing Loyalty Day by doing two simple things over the next week: first is to read the Declaration of Independence, a short letter from our founders to the world. The second is to become familiar with the United States Constitution, and what its seven Articles and 27 Amendments actually say. It’s a short document that’s not difficult to understand.

By learning more about our founding documents, we can have a far deeper appreciation for how fragile our freedoms are; and why our loyalty to time-proven American principles is so important to guard them against those who seek to take them away from us.

We must also be active in our civic responsibilities like voting. “Active” means that we spend a few minutes to research the candidates; examine their voting records or achievements; and whether what they say aligns with what they do. Attending local government meetings helps us understand the political process; and hold our elected officials accountable.

It’s up to you and me to defend American freedom for future generations.

G. Lamar Wilkie USN (Ret.)

Manchester