American Independence: What It Really Means After 244 Years - Dog Leg News

About the author

Tom Edrington

Tom Edrington spent the first 10 years of his misguided youth as a sports writer for the Tampa Tribune. His career brought him face to face with many of sports greatest stars -- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Don Shula, countless Hall of Fame NFL stars, more PGA Tour players than he can count. In 1980 he was honored by the Golf Writers Association of America for writing the best news story that year, his coverage of Jack Nicklaus' U.S. Open victory at Baltusrol. Today, 36 years later, golf is still a great part of his life, thanks to competitive playing days and the wonderful people he has met on this fabulous journey.

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8 Comments

  1. 1

    BobO

    Well done Tom. As you said “ For those who serve, those who put their lives on the line, those who have given their lives — this is their day. They gave up their futures, their days, so that ours can be better.” As the father of an active duty Naval officer this type of article has a deeper meaning. It is well written and I appreciate your thoughtful message. I just wish more people would take the time to realize how fortunate we all are because of the sacrifice and service of those that came before us and those that choose to serve today.

    1. 1.1

      Tom Edrington

      Bob: I appreciate your son, my father was a 38-year Navy veteran of WWII; Entered as a hospital corpsmen, got a commission after the war when they formed the Medical Service Corps; He was eventually Captain USN MSC; the former corpsman was now the commanding officer of all Naval Corpsmen…I was obviously raised on bases; Got into golf on the course at Quantico (Marine Corps Schools); Caddied for the Commandant; Now an officer in our Sons of AmVets squadron; I have a deep abiding love for all our service men and women.

    2. 1.2

      Andrew Finlayson

      “For those who serve, those who put their lives on the line, those who have given their lives — this is their day.”

      Isn’t that Memorial Day?

      1. 1.2.1

        Tom Edrington

        Of course, but July 4 represents Independence Day and let us not forget the sacrifices made to keep that Independence is something that comes at a cost, we simply reviewed the bills that have been paid for it…

  2. 2

    baxter cepeda

    “Their names are meaningless to the protesting throngs” is just not true Tom.
    Everyone is well aware of sacrifices made in the battlefield because they are in part allow needed protesting.
    There are also battles and sacrifices made in our own streets which are just as important to American independence; if not more.

    1. 2.1

      Tom Edrington

      We shall once again agree to disagree, especially after the city of Minneapolis is asking the Federal Govt. to pick up the huge tab for all the downtown property that was destroyed…..asking the America taxpayer to pay for what they allowed to transpire in their town. Let them rebuild and let them pay for it…

  3. 3

    Andrew Finlayson

    Tom, its clear you are a proud American, and that can only be a good thing ……… BUT

    Seriously guy, “our freedoms are the envy of the world”…. umm, just what freedoms are those? I mean, you know that more than half of the world’s nations have at least as much freedom as the USA, dont you? In many cases, they have a good deal MORE freedom than US citizens.

    As for “We are still the best and greatest” …. geez guys, get a grip!

    1. 3.1

      Tom Edrington

      Sorry you feel that way, Andrew.

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