Happy 4th of July everyone! Today is the day that Americans everywhere celebrate American Independence Day. It is a day of family, food, and fun. When Americans think of 4th of July, they think of picnics on the grass, swimming on a hot summer day, playing a game of baseball with the neighborhood kids, watching a parade, and being awed by the nighttime display of fireworks. All over the country, people take the day off to celebrate with family and friends.
Photo Courtesy of AP Images
America’s national day is more than just a celebration of our independence – it is a symbol of what a group of people, with common ideals and the will of the people, can achieve. The Declaration of Independence stated that “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” and that everyone has “certain unalienable rights.” These are the beliefs that our country was founded on, and the beliefs that we celebrate each year on this day. Our Founders were visionaries, although in 1776 they were risking their lives by signing the Declaration of Independence. But sometimes that is what it takes in order to envision and defend democracy.
Democracy, and the institutions that protect it, require constant work. That is why we have limits on the terms of our elected officials – so we can benefit from new ideas and new leaders, and our experienced leaders can advise or go on to develop the private sector. Our judges are constantly working to interpret the law in a modern context, and our lawyers are working to defend the rights of workers and corporations alike.
I’d like to express my thanks to the American Cambodian Business Council for organizing such a wonderful event this past weekend. Although I couldn’t be with my whole family this 4th of July, my son and I greatly enjoyed being able to meet so many of our fellow Americans and to feel such a wonderful sense of community so far from home.
Me chatting with Monks at the Fun 4th
Playing Games at the Fun 4th (Photo Courtesy of AmCham Cambodia)
That community, and the people I work with at the Embassy on a daily basis, reminds me of what it means to be an American. “What does it mean to you to be American?” is a topic that our children often have to write about in school, and the answer is different for every person. I’m curious to know if Cambodians ever have to write about what it means to be Cambodian in school. What would your answer be? Please write me a response, and I’ll post some of my favorite answers on the Embassy Facebook page!
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Dear, Mr. Ambassador
First and foremost , let’s me say happy birthday America . 4th july 1776 was a monument day for the entire Americans. On that day , America and its people were freed from the colony and started a new life as a new nation. It has been 236 years that America celebrates its Independence day. I know the entire Americans feel very proud about what their ancestors had done in the past in order to gain an independent. I wish Americans will enjoy this holiday forever.
Best Regards,
Chou Vithoureakborndidh
Dear AMB,
In this independent day, we wish American all the best wishes. At the same time, Cambodians are also struggling to real freedom. With the help from American, we will reach that goal soon.
Dear, Mr. Ambassador
First of all i would like to said Happy American Day. I don’t want to said too much about this day i just want to said that is it a special day for your nation as American. Now i just start to talk about the topic that you mention about, what does it mean to you to be Cambodian. So i want to share some ideas that i have mention about what it mean to me as Cambodian people who live on Cambodia. For me, i think that if we can said we are Cambodian or American make sure that we have something good for our society. If we are Cambodian nationality we need to think about our state rather than thinking about our benefits or we can said that do not selfish we should think about public interest. One more thing if we said we are Cambodian or Khmer we should do something good for our society. As we are the nation of the country or state we need to develop our ability and try to become a good person in order to help and develop our society. For me Cambodian guys not only refer to the high education people but all the people who have do something good and not harm to the society. At the end i just want to said that wish all the nation around the world live by happily without getting fight or war with each other.
Best Regards,
Chea Phalavy
Dear, Mr. Ambassador
Firstly, I am very proud of mind that to see you to be an American Ambassador in my Country (Cambodia). Moreover, I want my country have freely independence like your country, because even though, Cambodia is an independence country, but Cambodia leaders still control under Viet Nam country. Therefore, I would like your country (United States) help Cambodia by Diplomacy.
Finally, I wish you and your country stay in power in the would.
Kind Regards,
Ravy Iem