As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, I find myself reflecting on just how fortunate we are. No nation is perfect. Ours certainly isn’t. But America remains the greatest experiment in liberty and self-government the world has ever known. We have much to be proud of and much to be grateful for. However, if you spend too much time watching the news or scrolling social media, you might believe everything is falling apart. That is simply not true. The fact is, America is still the best place to live despite what some naysayers might believe. Why else would millions fight to get into our country? Simply put, we won the lottery of life by being born here. We inherited freedoms and institutions that countless generations before us sacrificed to build and preserve. That inheritance carries with it a responsibility. Speak well of your country. Defend its ideals. Raise children who understand both the blessings of liberty and the duties that go with it. Leave America stronger than you found it. This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate our nation with grateful hearts and honor those who came before us. Let’s pray that God will continue to bless America for another 250 years. J.B. Lloyd