Patriotic Speeches

Each year, on the Fourth of July, the extended Davis family invites friends, neighbors, and really whomever wishes to come to their compound on the Saluda River to celebrate the founding of the United States of America. There is much merriment to be had there; guests can go tubing, rope swinging, or swimming in the river, take a ride on their zip line, feast on the succulent smoked meats, enjoy tasty beverages, and converse with friendly Americans. The culmination of this celebration is a time when guests are invited to address the crowd by making patriotic speeches. At first, I thought they were joking when they included this on their invitation, but they are dead serious. I find it to be an excellent exercise and celebration of one of the vital tenants of our nation’s founding, and a responsibility not to be taken lightly; our freedom of speech.