Ben Marchionna’s Post

When describing America’s story, I find myself reflecting upon the words spoken by Frederick Douglass, the great orator, abolitionist, American Official and Diplomat, and giant of American History: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”. The American Story is just that- one of trials and triumphs; one of progress, but never without its share of struggles to achieve said progress. This description applies to the tumultuous birth of The United States, the growth of the nation, and is essential to understanding the story of civil rights in America. The story of African-Americans in America is woven into the very fabric of our nation, and today, we are fortunate to celebrate our collective story. On this day in 1865, the news of emancipation and the end of The Civil War finally reached the enslaved African-Americans of Galveston, Texas, marking yet another milestone in America’s story- concrete advancements in the eradication of chattel slavery in “the land of the free”. While this would eventually come to fruition via The 13th Amendment to The Constitution, ratified later that year, Juneteenth became a celebration of liberation and freedom for all immediately after the news was delivered. Festivities took place in the streets of Galveston, and the first annual celebrations began in 1866. While many states had already formalized the holiday, The United States officially recognized the day in 2021, making it the newest federal holiday. Today, we take the time, not only to celebrate, but also to reflect upon all of the brave Americans who struggled tirelessly to ensure progress was achieved and to hold America accountable to the ideals to which she holds herself. I wish a Happy Juneteenth National Independence Day to all!

Leadership will outlast the leader! As we celebrate this Fourth of July, let’s take a moment to reflect on the room where it all began—the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic act on July 4, 1776, marked the birth of a nation dedicated to the principles of freedom and democracy. Here are a few fascinating facts about the American Revolution: 1. The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event leading to the revolution, was a protest against a mere 3% tax on tea. Imagine the impact this tax had in igniting a movement for independence! 2. The Declaration of Independence was signed in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. This room witnessed the bold steps of our founding fathers as they committed to a new vision for America. 3. The original document was penned by Thomas Jefferson, who was just 33 years old at the time. His words have resonated through the centuries, embodying the spirit of liberty. 4. Benjamin Franklin, one of the signers, was the oldest delegate at the age of 70. His wisdom and experience were crucial in shaping the new nation. 5. Independence Day wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1870, almost a century after the Declaration was signed. As we honor this day, let’s remember the courage and foresight of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. Wishing everyone a joyful and reflective Fourth of July! 🎆🇺🇸 #IndependenceDay #FourthOfJuly #AmericanHistory #Freedom #DeclarationOfIndependence #CelebrateFreedom

America has always been divided as a nation. That’s one of the great freedoms and unique qualities of this country. We aren’t ruled by a singular belief or ideal. The crucial components of that freedom has always been centered around our abilities to work through those differences and find ‘common ground’. But ‘common ground’ requires common sense and common decency. We seem to have lost our way when it comes to these two vital aspects of our American values. During his 1965 SOTU address, President Johnson stated “Though total agreement between the Executive and the Congress is impossible, total respect is important”. The same notion must apply to all Americans. We shouldn’t rely some utopian view, that our political leaders will somehow unite all Americans. In fact, we should never hope to be united…we should only strive. Our divisions are what our democracy is built on. Our differences are what make America great. I hope we can restore our respect for one another despite those divisions and differences…that is where we are broken. We must return to civility and respect for one another…common decency and common sense. If we can’t model these behaviors and teach our children to do the same, all is lost. Happy Independence Day to ALL and God Bless America!

Independence Day… Now What? “We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we will all hang separately.” Benjamin Franklin made this statement at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Even though our collective security is not as pressing as it was for our founding fathers, it is still a significant concern today. We have adversaries around the globe and internal forces that seek to erode our freedoms and end what our predecessors envisioned for us. As Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” And as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” This Independence Day weekend, may we celebrate those patriots who have fought for our freedoms on the battlefields, in boardrooms, and within political arenas. May we all look for ways to continue their legacies in our homes, businesses, communities, and elections. Freedom isn’t free, and the great experiment that is America only works as long as we all put in the effort required to maintain it. Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." It doesn’t stop with the declaration; for those 56 signers of the Declaration, this was just the beginning. Each day, it is our beginning too. God bless America, and I hope everyone had a happy Independence Day! #veterans #freedomisntfree #patriotism #resilience #riskmanagement #rationalrisk

July 4th, also known as Independence Day in the United States, is to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. This historic document, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, declared the thirteen American colonies' independence from British rule. Key aspects of the meaning of July 4th include: 1. Celebration of Freedom: It marks the birth of the United States as an independent nation and symbolizes its commitment to freedom, democracy, and self-governance. 2. Patriotism: The day is an opportunity for Americans to express their patriotism and pride in their country through various traditions, including fireworks, parades, and patriotic displays. 3. Reflection on History: It's a time to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices made by the founding fathers and others who fought for independence and the ideals of liberty and justice. 4. Unity and Community: Independence Day also serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and coming together as a community to celebrate shared values and heritage. 5. Cultural Significance: The holiday is deeply ingrained in American culture, with various customs and practices have evolved over the years, contributing to a sense of national identity. Overall, July 4th is a day to celebrate the historical significance of the Declaration of Independence and the principles upon which the United States was founded. #America #Independance #FoundingFathers #Sacrafices #GarySilverthornLeadership

This coming Thursday is the United States of America's 248th birthday. We used to call this holiday "Independence Day," and I believe that's still its official name. However, it's strange how, nowadays, people usually just call it by its date; "July 4th," or "The 4th of July." Why did we change the language in common speech? Maybe it's because of that old song, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Most of us know that we celebrate our independence from the tyrannical rule of the colonies by the monarchy in England. My question today is, Are we truly 'Independent?' Sure, we're no longer ruled by a foreign nation's monarchy in the political sense. We govern ourselves, don't we? The individual states are always vying for more of their own power in the language of the law, versus that of the federal government. That sounds like independence to me. 50 different sets of independence, all in somewhat of a conflict. Maybe we should depend more on one another. I mean that in the sociological & political senses, but also in the individual sense. Too much dependence is probably bad, but our own individualism seems to have created more division now than ever. I believe we each need others. Our sense of pride and self-importance may be more toxic than we realize. We don't all have to do everything on our own, and our own opinions and perspectives should not be all that matters to us. Let's be more considerate of each other! I need you, and you need me. We're in this together! What do you think about this subject? Please leave your comments below. Thanks! And, let's think more about others than our own hot dogs or firecrackers this Thursday.

And There Was Light 23/2024. Lincoln is, to my mind, the pinnacle of American leadership and maybe the greatest American who ever lived. Not perfect by any shot, but guided by deep convictions and aiming ceaselessly to honor them. Fueled by curiosity, a seeker of wisdom, and a rejector of the status quo, who sought to embody the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Here, Meacham gives us a gorgeous biography, treading where many have before, but framed in Lincoln’s moral sensitivities, rather than his political or personal activities themselves. Lincoln comes through as a seeker of truth, if also an imperfect embodiment of it. He held on to racist ideas while simultaneously being very progressive for his time; rooted in the promises of the Declaration, he sees the humanity in all people, even if he thought segregation to be a fine status quo. This is of course a framing that we’ve evolved beyond today. It’s also the story of the ongoing divides in America, fundamentally between those that accept oppression of others as a way of life and those that seek equality and equity for all. Lincoln spoke to the soul of the nation when we most needed him. Let’s hope he’s not unique in the story of America. There are echoes today of the same misinformation, election interference, and threats of violent insurrection that Lincoln faced. Lincoln’s sense of humor comes through here, and one gets a very intimate feel for the man’s mind. He was immensely kind and contemplative. The book is well written and well researched, with the source notes and bibliography totaling some 250 pages alone!

Why should we remember the Revolutionary War?   Too often we imagine the founding of the United States as moment of creative statesmanship and forget that we owe our independence, not to a declaration, but to the courage of ordinary men who were made extraordinary by their devotion to a remarkable cause.   In Freedom: The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution, I explain:   “The United States was the first nation in modern times to achieve its independence in a war of national liberation. The Revolution was not merely the defining event in the nation’s political and constitutional history — a moment in which political theory was harnessed to political practice to establish the first constitutional republic in human history. We remember the political and constitutional achievements of the American Revolution but forget that they were built on a foundation of sacrifice and suffering. We celebrate the Declaration of Independence as if its adoption created our nation, when in fact, our nation was born out of war that went on for eight long years.   Today the Revolutionary War seems small — its battles mere skirmishes compared to the great battles of later wars, its death toll paltry, its suffering minor, its sacrifices modest. We are easily deceived by the war’s scale. It was, until the foreign wars of modern times, the longest war in American history. It touched every part of the new nation, from Maine to Florida, and westward to the Mississippi. It touched every community and brought sorrow and loss to many thousands of families. In proportion to the population, it took the lives of more Americans than any other war in our history except the Civil War, a war in which the losses of both sides must be counted. The Revolutionary War was itself a civil war that set brother against brother and degenerated into a partisan war between loyalists and patriots. It was a traumatic event punctuated by episodes of extraordinary courage and of remarkable brutality.”

I realize I’ll lose any intellectual points by using a quote from a movie to express myself. Still, today, as we celebrate Presidents Day, I am reminded of this passage from Michael Douglas in “The American President”: “…and I can tell you without hesitation: being president of this country is entirely about character.” “America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.” “We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them.” How true. As this year’s presidential primaries spin up – I find myself thinking how much (all) our elected officials could learn from former President Eisenhower – with numerous examples outlined in Susan Eisenhower’s excellent book, “How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions.” Eisenhower was responsible for the creation of the Interstate Highway System, played a crucial role in enforcing the desegregation of public schools, facilitated the armistice that ended the Korean War, created what is now the Department of Health and Human Services, signed the act establishing NASA and oversaw a period of economic stability and growth (Ike had balanced the budget and produced a surplus three times—in 1956, 1957, and 1960—all while recalibrating and restructuring the national security apparatus and making monumental strides in the nation’s infrastructure.) Most impressive was his ability to accomplish these things while maintaining quiet humility. His popularity was based on a “relationship of trust and a reputation as a warrior who hated war; a commander with compassion; a leader who prized fairness in the system; and a charismatic figure who had a natural affinity for the common man.” Americans sensed that he would put the country first. Today, we have “serious problems to solve and we need serious people to solve them.”  Our elected officials and our nation would be well served to learn from Eisenhower’s leadership—one of head and heart—projected in the context of a higher cause, one that rests on accountability and humility and the importance of serving something bigger than oneself. (Thanks Joseph Votel for the recommendation!)

As we gather today to celebrate the birth of our nation, we should take a moment to reflect on the values and principles that have shaped the United States of America. July 4th is a time to remember the bravery, vision, and dedication of those who fought for our freedom and laid the foundation for a nation built on liberty and justice for all. However, as we honor our history, it's crucial to recognize the challenges we face in upholding these ideals. In recent times, it seems we are straying from our moral compass. The media, once a pillar of truth, often manipulates our perceptions, blinding us to the realities around us. We find ourselves bombarded with misinformation and divisive narratives, which threaten the very fabric of our society. We must ask ourselves: Are we standing up for what is right, or are we justifying actions that contradict our values for personal gain? It is imperative that we confront and oppose evil, wherever it may arise. This Independence Day, let us pledge to seek truth, promote justice, and protect the freedoms for which so many have sacrificed. Our strength as a nation lies not in the power we wield, but in our unwavering commitment to the principles of equality, integrity, and compassion. Let's come together to reaffirm our dedication to these values and work towards a future where truth prevails, and justice is served. Happy Independence Day! May we continue to strive for a better, more united America.