BIA President's 4th July Speech

Welcome everybody, to the 90th annual Bayville 4th of July Parade! At least it would be the 90th if we’d had a parade every year since we became an incorporated village in 1911.

Whether we’re Republican or Democrat or something else, it’s easy -- and fashionable – to find things to complain about or criticize about our government. The 4th of July is the perfect time to step back and look at and celebrate the bigger picture. What a fantastic thing it is that we live in a country where we have not only the freedom but the right and responsibility to criticize our government – a country where positive criticism, given without fear, makes our country stronger! There are still millions of people living in countries where criticism of the government may have dire consequences.

Just a short 225 years ago our forefathers, at risk of their very lives, declared independence from the absolute tyranny of the King of Great Britain. They cited 27 specific grievances. In order that we might have freedom, they said, "we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

165 years later, in 1941 at the brink of war with fascist Germany and Japan, Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke to Congress about schemes of world domination and the tyranny of dictators. He said the world order we seek is the cooperation of free countries, based on four freedoms:

  • freedom of speech and expression
  • freedom of every person to worship God in his own way
  • freedom from want, and
  • freedom from fear.

Now our embodiment of those freedoms may yet be far from perfect. None-the-less, enjoy and demonstrate them we do – in our very criticisms of our government – and I submit we’re getting better. Joseph McCarthy is a dark specter of the past. Diversity is more respected than ever.

So this 4th of July we have everything to celebrate, with parades and hot dog roast and fireworks -- everything to be thankful for, and most especially the courageous signers of the Declaration of Independence!

I want to thank the Boothbay Region Alumni Band for once again adding so much to our celebration – and Phil Roberts for seeing to the arrangements! Thank you band members! Thank you Phil!

Robert G. Blakesley
July 4, 2001