From the moment the words “ We the people” were penned, the course of human history was forever changed. The great experiment of human freedom had begun. Individuals were now free to unlock their greatest potential. In the 234 years since The Constitution was written, we have witnessed unprecedented advances in art, medicine, technology, exploration, transportation, manufacturing and so much more. This is all made possible because of the freedom of thought and expression that The Constitution protects and preserves. When this country seems to be pulling apart at the seams, this document is the thread that continues to bind us together.
The founding fathers had a vision for what this nation could be, and they believed in it with their whole hearts. Many gave their fortunes and lives to obtain this land of freedom and unequaled prosperity. A country that beckons to those who are “yearning to breathe free”. A place where you are free to live out the dictates of your own conscience. Where the only limits, are those you place upon yourself.
When I think of this American dream, I cannot help but think of the experience and heritage of my own family. I am a 6th generation American sheep rancher. My family came to the United States from Norway with nothing more than a gold watch and a dream, as the story goes. That watch was then sold and the money was used to bring sheep to the state of Utah. The herd then multiplied and gave way to the vibrant sheep industry that shaped the state we live in today. My Grandpa lived in a single-room home. He used to relay stories to us of him waking in the mornings with snow on his bed because the walls were not sealed. He went on to own one of the largest herds of sheep in the United States and created a legacy that will continue for generations to come. My family’s story is truly that of the true American Dream.
Ronald Reagan referred often to the United States as the “Shining city on a hill”. In his farewell address to the nation, he said, “I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind, it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it and see it still”.
I know today, it is sometimes tough to see through the fog of hate, disagreement, contention, and past mistakes to see that shining city on the hill. My friends, the American Dream still shines bright, and we are the ones who must keep the light burning for the rest of the world to see. As Abraham Lincoln stated, “Freedom is the last, best hope of earth”. My friends, we are the keepers of that freedom and we are the last best hope.
“The Constitution is the guide which I will never abandon”. – George Washington.
It is the Constitution that has brought us to this point in history, and it is the vessel that will carry us into the future. While we adhere to the principles espoused in this inspired document, our Country will remain that “Shining city on the hill” and we will not falter.
