Worldview from Franklin County: Keeping our pride in America the Beautiful
Columnists, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:06 am Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Worldview from Franklin County: Keeping our pride in America the Beautiful

My, my, my – do we have a lot to be thankful for here in America!

We are privileged to live in what Winston Churchill called “the arsenal of democracy.”  We see this played out in dramatic fashion all over the world.

The USA ensures the PAX Americana by keeping the lines of communication open throughout the world. Whether it is the Navy patrolling the South Pacific or keeping would-be tyrants from gobbling up smaller countries, Americans ensure that peace and prosperity are enjoyed by the world.

Don’t be discouraged by the troubles we are in now. They are real, and they hurt, but we will work our way out of them.

Not just through our military do we keep the world peaceful and prosperous; the safeguarding of innovation and intellectual property do more to keep the world progressing than the military force. The freedom of thought and ideas is the driving force that ensures progress across all fields. This is why the U.S.A is the greatest country in the world.

In the big house on Jackson, this Independence Day, the festivities will be loud and happy. All my living brothers are joining me here in Russellville. All but one are veterans.

I am the youngest of eight boys. My oldest brother finally succumbed to the harshness of Vietnam in 1996, and another, No. 6, passed in 1984, from complications of juvenile diabetes. No. 5 had a high draft number, so he was spared. No. 7 and I were too young for Vietnam, although we both served.

We’ll go to Huntsville and put flowers or on parents’ graves, remembering their service in World War II. We will spend the rest of the day remembering, playing cards, eating, cheating at cards, probably getting mad at each other from time to time – in other words, just enjoying our freedoms. This is why the U.S.A is the greatest country in the world.

There are several posts on social media saying America is not the greatest country in the world. And yes, there are many problems with our country right now: school shootings, political animosity spilling over into personal relationships, economic hardships, many social issues and, worst of all, an increasing lack of faith in God.

This can all be corrected.

The recent ruling overturning Roe v. Wade is causing much strife. While I believe this is the correct decision based on the Constitution, I believe Christians must spread the word of God to reduce the demand for abortion. We have this freedom. This is why the U.S.A is the greatest country in the world.

I feel fortunate to be a part of this nation, this state, this county and Russellville itself. I have two brothers coming from Texas and three from Huntsville to spend the weekend with me, celebrating the American way of life that so many have sacrificed to safeguard. This is why the U.S.A is the greatest country in the world.

Also on Franklin County Times
Baker unseats Murray for Franklin Co. District 1 seat
Franklin County, News, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — District 1 residents in Franklin County will have a new commissioner in November after Curtis Baker defeated incumbent Grayson Murray i...
Attempted murder is added to shooting charges
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A Tuscumbia man now faces an attempted murder charge in addition to the 23 other criminal charges he faces after admitting to shooting ...
County receives $5K for 250th events
Main, News, Russellville
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County will receive $5,000 in funding for events related to celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The Alabama USA Semiquincent...
New sign honors Keeton’s community service
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 17, 2026
RED BAY — The quarter- mile Hoyt Keeton Walking Trail now has a new sign. Keeton family members, city officials and community supporters recently gath...
Franklin had 13% of advocacy center cases
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Andrea’s Arbor in Franklin County accounted for 13% of cases recorded in 2025 by Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center. Andrea’s Arbor is a...
UNA ups tuition $300 for undergrads
News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
FLORENCE — The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees is considering a tuition and fee schedule Friday that will increase undergraduate costs b...
EAST FRANKLIN ATHLETIC EVENT
High School Sports, Sports
June 17, 2026
ALL PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED/EAST FRANKLIN JUNIOR HIGH 10 For 10 Club Boys A-Team basketball awards Boys B-Team basketball awards Cheerleader awards Girls b...
Hatton named new Franklin 4-H agent
Franklin County, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Former educator and longtime 4-H participant Kristi Hatton has begun her new role as Franklin County’s 4-H agent, bringing 16 years of ...

Leave a Reply

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