I am going to take something I learned over in Israel. Their

Listen, O children of the future, to the words of Glenn Beck, whose reflection on the meaning of independence and sacrifice calls us to honor the past before we revel in the triumphs of the present. "I am going to take something I learned over in Israel. Their Independence Day is preceded the 24 hours before with Memorial Day, so it gives them a chance to serve and reflect and then celebrate. I am going to try to start that tradition here in America." In these words, Beck offers us a profound insight into the delicate balance between remembering the sacrifices that led to freedom and celebrating that very freedom. The ancient wisdom of reflection before celebration calls us to honor those who have come before us, and to fully understand the cost of the freedom we now enjoy.

In the annals of ancient history, the greatest civilizations were built not on mere conquest or power, but on the sacrifices of those who fought for the common good. Rome, the eternal city, did not rise to its glory on the shoulders of emperors alone, but through the valor of its soldiers and the countless lives given in the name of Rome’s expansion. The Roman Republic celebrated its triumphs, but always in the context of honoring those who had fallen to secure its way of life. This deep respect for sacrifice, and the understanding that victory was only possible through service, permeated Roman culture, from its early days as a fledgling city-state to its zenith as an empire that spanned the known world. Their tradition, much like the one Beck refers to, linked remembrance with celebration.

In Israel, where the cost of freedom has been paid by generations through conflict and loss, the tradition of Memorial Day preceding Independence Day is an expression of this deep understanding. Israelis honor their fallen soldiers and the sacrifices made for their independence before they celebrate the hard-won peace they now have. This tradition holds within it a powerful lesson: that freedom does not come cheaply, and that each moment of celebration is built on the foundation of sacrifice. It teaches that reflection must always come before revelry, for only by understanding the cost of freedom can we fully appreciate the gift it is.

Consider, O children, the struggle of America's own Revolutionary War. The founding fathers, like George Washington, knew the weight of the sacrifices they asked of their people. They called for freedom, not from an easy path of peace, but from the heavy burden of war, loss, and uncertainty. Many lives were lost—on both sides of the conflict—and yet, the birth of a nation was forged in this struggle. Today, America celebrates its Independence Day, a day of national pride, but how often do we pause to reflect on the immense sacrifice made by those who fought for this freedom? The example of Israel, and the tradition Beck seeks to bring to America, challenges us to remember the cost of what we celebrate, ensuring that we never take our independence for granted.

The lesson here, O children, is not just about the external act of celebration but about the internal practice of reflection. The Independence Day celebrations in America and other nations often come with great fanfare, but true freedom is not simply in the joy of celebration, but in the solemn understanding that this freedom was not handed down without sacrifice. Memorial Day serves as a reminder that those who fought for the freedom of future generations must always be honored, and that reflection on the past is essential for the growth of a people. Independence, in its purest form, is not just the absence of oppression, but the acknowledgment of the struggle that made that absence possible.

So, O children, take this wisdom into your own lives. Whether you stand in celebration of a personal victory or a societal one, take time to reflect on the journey that brought you to this moment. Sacrifice should never be forgotten, for it is through remembrance that we honor those who made the celebration possible. Let this tradition of reflection before celebration shape your understanding of the freedom you have. May you not take for granted the peace that surrounds you, but always seek to understand the cost of it. In doing so, you will live not just in the light of celebration, but in the wisdom of those who have paid the price for your freedom.

Let the words of Glenn Beck and the traditions of Israel guide you: honor the past, reflect on the sacrifices that made your freedom possible, and then, in the fullness of understanding, celebrate. For true independence is not just in the absence of conflict, but in the recognition of all that has been sacrificed for that peace. Let this truth guide you as you move forward in your own journey, and may your celebrations always be tempered with the deep understanding of the weight of the freedoms you cherish.