EDITORIAL -- FEATURE SPOT, Editorials, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
3:25 pm Thursday, June 23, 2022

In praise of patriotism

With summer in full swing, we are also firmly in the middle of the most patriotic time of the year.

Memorial Day and Flag Day are barely in the rearview, and Independence Day is looming large on the horizon.

If you haven’t unfurled your flag, strung up the bunting or purchased fireworks yet – well, now is the time! We are loving seeing the county draped in red, white and blue.

Amidst the pool parties and cookouts, lake days and camping trips, we hope you’ll also make time to take pride in our country and honor everything it has taken to bring us to this point.

Does our country have problems? Undoubtedly. No matter where you stand on divisive topics from the economy to poverty to the environment and beyond, the U.S. has certainly not reached the very pinnacle of what it could hope to be someday.

What is also undoubtedly true, however, is that we live in a great country, filled with blessings and assets that people in many countries can only dream of. Despite the negatives, we have so many positives we can be proud of.

Even as we deal with problems like illiteracy, food insecurity, crime, hate, inflation, broken homes and more – let’s be honest with ourselves, we do have problems – we also see the innumerable benefits of living in the great U.S. of A. We have amazing freedoms, amazing opportunities, amazing prosperity.

O beautiful for spacious skies. For amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain. America! America! God shed his grace on thee!

Splendid words, for a splendid country.

Let’s not forget to embrace a patriotic spirit this summer.

Also on Franklin County Times
Waterpark opens amid repairs, planned upgrades
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 27, 2026
RED BAY — The Red Bay Waterpark has opened for the season with city officials approving fee increases and planning for upgrades following a record att...
Oliver secures his fifth term as sheriff
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree, Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
May 27, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Incumbent Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will remain in office for at least four more years after he overwhelmingly won re-elec...
Repairs are approved for PC Fire Engine 2
News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 27, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Councilmembers have approved up to $2,500 in repairs for a malfunctioning water tank gauge on Engine 2. Fire Chief Andy Marbutt said t...
Why every law that’s made is a moral choice
Columnists, Opinion
May 27, 2026
When the debate over vice laws, those governing drugs, gambling, or pornography, reaches the halls of our Legislature, a familiar, hollow cry rings ou...
Roxy presents ‘Murder in the Magnolias’
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist 
May 27, 2026
One of the things I enjoy most about being involved with the historic Roxy Theatre is watching local people come together to create something fun for ...
TVA stays ‘in lockstep’ with energy needs
News
By Anthony Campbell For the FCT 
May 27, 2026
GUNTERSVILLE — Tennessee Valley Authority interim CEO Mike Skaggs knows that as north Alabama grows in population, so too will the demand for more ele...
Clark unseats Adcox for coroner’s post
News, Russellville
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
May 27, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Jeff Clark defeated incumbent Charles Adcox in the Republican primary for Franklin County coroner Tuesday night, winning 75.25% of the ...
Runoff for D-1 commission race is June 16
News, Russellville
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
May 27, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Residents of District 1 will have to wait a little longer to learn who their representative on the Franklin County Commission will be a...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *