Given by Wendy Black July 4, 2017 and Mayor's Breakfast. Centennial Park, Blanding, Utah
Good Morning and Happy Independence Day.
In preparing to speak today, I found this saying: "You can't
separate peace from independence because no one can be at peace unless he has his independence."
We as humans are in a constant state of always trying achieve our individual independence. We start when we are infants, trying to roll over, to crawl,
to stand up, to walk and to talk, then we move on in this quest to dress ourselves, feed ourselves
and bath ourselves, we learn to ride a bike and then to drive a car.
Hopefully,
soon afterwards, we are ready to move out on our own. Then as adults, we work
to gain our financial independence, through going to
school and building careers. We hopefully have learned to be good and
responsible citizens in our process to gain our independence. We finally feel that we have arrived at our total
freedom as individuals. Right???
We on this North American Continent should never forget that the men and women who first crossed the Atlantic came here not to find soil for their plows but came
here to find independence for their souls. Our Independence from England is the reason for this holiday. Some of you may not know that in 1776 there were many in the Continental
Congress, and throughout the colonies, who were not all that happy about breaking
away from Britain. They were afraid of change, afraid to lose the financial
backing of the crown. The radicals who were
ready for a break from Britain needed to light a fire under those who were
still reluctant to act. Thomas Paine wrote and published a pamphlet called, “Common Sense.” It was the first work to openly ask for
independence from Great Britain. This publication was bought and read by more
people than watch the Superbowl today. It had the largest sale and circulation
of any book published in American history. As of
2006, it remained the all-time best selling American title, and is still in
print today. Because of the vision of great men like Thomas Paine the United
States is an icon of independence to the world.
We, in San Juan County, have had some experience in both resistance and fear of losing our
independence through this fight against a National Monument. We thought we were living in safety. We were hidden in our little corner of the
world. We had all of the bliss and
comfort we needed. We felt we did not need to pay attention. We assumed that
we didn’t need to speak out, after all we are just a small community. How much
noise could we ever really make? How much change could we really affect? Why
should we need to fight for our freedom? That was being taken care of by
government people doing their jobs. Such
as the BLM and the FOREST SERVICE. Not to say we don’t love our
government employed neighbors; after all they are just doing their jobs. The
heads of these departments on the other hand -- they may need some guidance and
if we don’t give it to them, THEN who will?
The ENVIRONMENTALISTS will! THE
GREEN MACHINES will, and THE OUTDOOR
COMPANIES will.
A year ago, we decided that we, as a county could no longer be
reluctant to act. Modern day radicals knew
that we had to light that fire, no matter how small we felt. We had to stand up
tall and strong or we would lose our independence-- Our independence to
love our land the way we have for generations; Our independence to choose our livelihood; Our
independence to have our communities grow the way that
WE choose; Our independence to
enjoy our own backyard doing what we want like camping, fishing, hunting,
gathering, sight seeing, hiking, and gathering for family reunions.
So we, Navajos, Utes, Anglos, and Hispanics alike, took to our computers and wrote many, many letters and
commented on many, many editorials. We were often texting, tweeting, and
instagramming each other and others at 1 and 2 in
the morning since that’s when we had time to write and comment. We stood behind
our local leaders who were already fighting for rural Utah to be heard. We stood tall and proud
at opposition rallies and our own celebrations. Because of the unity of the small
communities of San Juan County, we have become an icon to the United States in our
fight for our independence and control of our own public lands. We have won many battles over the past year, but we are still in
a huge war.
This Fourth of July, we might find ourselves barbecuing,
congregating with loved ones and enjoying our precious free time. But it is
also a time to step back, take stock and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy every
day from living in this country. It is a time to appreciate just how we gained
this independence and to remember those who have fought for and are still
fighting to preserve it. Our brave men and women in uniform, and those that
fight for our independence that are not in uniform. Such as our brave local leaders, PHIL LYMAN, BRUCE ADAMS, and REBECCA BENALLY and don’t forget our state leaders, Mike Noel, David Hinkins, Governor Herbert
and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, Mike Lee, Jason Chaffetz, Rob Bishop and Senator
Hatch and many more.
The most patriotic men and women may be the ones who go in
the direction that they think is right even when they see the world is against
them. They are leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the path of honor
and duty. Do not blame others if they do not agree with you. Instead appreciate
that we have the freedom to express ourselves
and embrace our differences. Be happy that you have tried and succeeded in being
patriotic.
I am so proud to be part of this community and the efforts
that have been made to secure our independence. Give yourselves a huge
applause.
And finally, I want to say: This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the
home of the brave.
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| Cemetery on the Navajo Reservation where Native Patriots are always remembered |
