JULY 2012
from the publisher
4TH OF JULY & SUMMER VACATIONS
Graduations are complete, school has been out for a few weeks now and families are planning or taking vacations, while the graduates take those steps towards moving on to college or a new career. It really brings back the memories of heading to the Jersey Shore, in addition to the anticipation of me taking some time off, as well as looking forward to my son’s high school graduation. I had the opportunity, last month, to meet the Vice President of the United States when he came to South Florida to give the commencement speech for Cypress Bay High School. Regardless of politics, it’s an honor to meet the person who holds the office and to have them speak at ones graduation. Driving in the motorcade with not one car on I-95 was a first for me as well. This month, we celebrate the two hundred and thirty sixth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Being born in Philadelphia, where the signing took place and the birth of the United States of America commenced, I take particular pride in the occasion. I am also proud and grateful to the many men and women who served and sacrificed limb, life and fortune in pursuit of our freedom. I believe we should all take some measure of reverence or appreciation for those who have gone before to afford us the opportunity of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I do this by raising the flag, a tradition my mother passed on to me years ago. She would always put up the little flags in the front yard. Today, and every day, I have the flag raised on my house. I think it is the least I can to for those who made the
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JULY 2012 | LIFESTYLEMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
ultimate sacrifice. So, when you are enjoying the parades and festivities with family and friends, I also encourage you, regardless of national origin or political affiliation, to do the same this Fourth of July – Raise the American Flag in gratitude for your Freedom. These are some challenging times we live in and you have to go no farther than the news station, or now Facebook, to know we are interconnected globally. We need to take notice of the words of two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock & Ben Franklin. John Hancock supposedly said that Congress, having signed the Declaration, must now “all hang together” and Benjamin Franklin replied, “Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.
By no means am I suggesting anyone abandon their national pride for where one was born, nor to compromise one’s principles. But, if we are to survive and grow as a nation, and a world, we must collaborate on solutions which preserve the ideals which formed this great nation. Happy 4th of July and Have a Great Summer! As Always, Enjoy the Lifestyle ™
Jim Norton President & Publisher Lifestyle Publications