Independence Day Address From Fulton Mayor Rice

FULTON – Good Morning, and Happy Independence Day to the residents of Fulton –

Today, as our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we pause to recognize one of the most significant milestones in American history – the birth of the United States of America.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, brave men and women stood firm in their belief that liberty was worth fighting for.  They declared to the world that freedom, self-governance, and the rights of the people were principles worth defending at all costs.  Because of their courage and sacrifice, we have inherited the greatest nation on earth.

Here in the City of Fulton, while we may not have organized official celebrations this year, the spirit of America is alive and well in our neighborhoods, on our streets, and in the hearts of our people.

I want to personally thank each and every resident who took the time to proudly display the American Flag and decorate your homes and properties in honor of the historic anniversary.  Those flags waving in the summer breeze serve as a powerful reminder of who we are as Americans – united by freedom, strengthened by sacrifice, and bound by a shared love of country.

The red, white, and blue are more than colors; they represent the blood shed by generations of patriots, the purity of our ideals, and the perseverance that has carried this nation through war, hardship, triumph, and progress.

On this day, we also remember those who have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces, those who have their lives defending our freedoms, and the families who have carried that sacrifice alongside them.  Their service reminds us that freedom is never free.

As we celebrate this Semiquincentennial, let us recommit ourselves to the values that built this nation:  faith, freedom, unity, hard work, and service to one another.  Let us teach the next generation what it means to be an American – not simply by words, but by how we live, how we serve, and how we honor those who came before us.

Today, may God continue to bless our City of Fulton, the State of New York, and the United States of America.

Happy 250th Birthday, America – And may God bless the red, white, and blue.