Thank you TRR

The Callicoon United Methodist Church wants to thank you, The River Reporter, for your generosity for our Annual Golf Tournament.

Our church relies upon the support of the businesses and merchants in the surrounding areas.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Callicoon United Methodist Church
Callicoon, NY

Don’t walk on others; walk together

This year, we are celebrating the 234th year of our Independence from England, adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House. The war was fought from April 19, 1775 through September 3, 1783—8.4 years.

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union formed the first Constitution of the United States, drafted by the Second Continental Congress from mid-1776 through late 1777. Ratification by all 13 states was completed by early 1781.

People were not happy with the way the Constitution was working, so a new Constitution was developed by educated and learned men. On September 28, 1787 the proposed new Constitution was sent forth to the 13 states. Delaware being the first state to ratify it in December 7, 1787. On July 26, 1788, New York ratified the Constitution, with a recommendation that a bill of rights be appended. Rhode Island on May 29, 1790 was the last state to ratify the new Constitution with the Bill of Rights.

The document is an ideal goal for a democracy to achieve for its people. The first three words, “We the people,” says it all. It refers to all the people, not hyphenated Americans, not religion, not sex or sexual orientation, not country of origin, be it generations ago or just arriving today. We are all covered by the same document with the same rights.

There are six other words that we say and hear many times, “With liberty and justice for all,” and they are the last words of the Pledge of Allegiance. The word “all” sums it up: no distinction or separation. Those words represent our ideal to strive for as a nation.

The ideal of the nine words “We the people,” and “With liberty and justice for all,” is what makes the United States of America the best place to live. It is about “WE and US,” not “me or I,” that brings out the best of this country and its people. To speak ill or demean others only lowers yourself and our country. Do not walk on others, but walk together to make a better place for others and yourself. This is what America and being an American is all about.

Kenneth Walter
Grahamsville, NY