The basis and purpose of this blog is simple: next week, July 4th, 2016, marks the 240th year America has been a free country. Before anything marketing and business related at GoEdison, we have a core mission of Good Citizenship, Integrity, Leadership and Community. These values have held true to us since day one of our existence. Here’s an in-depth and honest look as to why we love our country.
Our mission and our values are by no means possible without the great freedom all of us know from living in this wonderful country – the United States of America. Not only do we support our country, we support the men and women who protect our wonderful land. Here at GoEdison, we aren’t shy about our beliefs and what we support and love, hence the gratitude we express in this blog.
This is a three-part blog. First, you will hear from Jimbo Davis, our Co-Founder. He will share with you a small piece as to why he loves America and some history behind it.
Second, you will hear from James Harper, our Founder, about why he takes immense pride in his country.
Last, you will hear about the impact this country has played on our small business we call GoEdison, and how we believe GoEdison will be a small, impactful piece of this country’s economic success.
Why We Love Our Country
Part one: James (Jimbo) Davis
The History of the 4th of July: There are many misconceptions surrounding the 4th of July as far as what exactly happened leading up to that day, and on the day itself. However, July 4, 1776 wasn’t when the Continental Congress decided to declare independence; Continental Congress made this decision on July 2, 1776. Also, the American Revolution didn’t begin at this time; the American Revolution began in April of 1775. Last, Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in June of 1776. The Declaration itself wasn’t received by Great Britain until November of 1776, and it wasn’t signed until August of 1776. July 4, 1776 is when the Continental Congress approved the final draft/wording of the Declaration of Independence, which is the date shown on the famous document.
Our Country’s Responsibility
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (Thomas Jefferson)
The above words will forever be held as among the most virtuous words ever documented in the United States of America, and they’ll forever be a treasure to us whether knowingly, or not. These words began an era of freedom never experienced by man, which continues to this day. We are truly fortunate, indeed, and it’s important to remember how we got here.
Benjamin Franklin was approached by a woman named Mrs. Powel after leaving Independence Hall in Philadelphia via the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and she asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” To which, Benjamin Franklin famously replied immediately with “A republic, if you can keep it.” That part is our job. The baton of freedom was passed to us, kicked-off in large part via the Declaration of Independence, and it’s our responsibility to pass it on to our posterity.
Thank you – Jimbo Davis
Why We Love Our Country
Part two: James Harper
When I think about our country, it’s hard for me to put it into words. Our history is so rich and so strong; it’s almost unbelievable how we created such a wonderful country and place to live.
I’m the first male in my family for three generations not to join the military. I’m not proud of saying that, but I also don’t regret it. There are thousands of men and women much braver than I who serve this country, and they give us the freedom we all know as everyday life.
My father was my best friend. He passed away just shy of my 14th birthday. I think I get most of my “American Pride” from him. My father, Mars Lenna Harper Jr., was a United States Navy Corpsman and a respected Purple Heart Vietnam veteran. He served 13 months in the heart of Vietnam and documented his whole experience with tapes, pictures and countryside collectables.
As a young boy, night after night I would sit with my father and go through his war pictures and ask questions. Little did I know at the time, I was getting a first-class history lesson about war and what it’s like to serve this country. No college classroom could teach me what I learned from my father who just so happened to be what I call “a humble war hero.”
I once told my father that “he was brave” for serving in such a dangerous war where many young American men didn’t make it home alive. He calmly looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m not brave. The brave men didn’t make it home.”
Below are a few pictures of my father during his tour in Vietnam.
If that doesn’t give you context into what type of sacrifice our country is rooted in, I’m not sure what will. Sacrifice and perseverance is why we all have the opportunity and life we have today. It’s up to us to make the most of it.
I once told Jimbo long before GoEdison was created, “If we don’t try and start our own business, we are doing a disservice to the great privilege we have. We live in a free country and we are expected to get a job and go through the motions. There are people in other countries that would kill to have the opportunity and freedom we have. The least we could do is try and start our own business.”
Thanks to the help of many, the freedom we have, and some really good luck, we’ve created that business. That business is what you now know as GoEdison.
Thank you – James Harper
GoEdison Thanks You
It would be an extreme disservice to our Founders if we didn’t thank them for delivering the beacon call that made us possible. Without the courage of these men, and the Declaration, the ability to follow our passion, create our vision, and deliver our services wouldn’t be possible. The endless ingenuity made possible through the freedoms allowed via the events following the Declaration of Independence is impossible to quantify; it’s truly a miracle.
We’re experiencing the accumulated benefits of billions of men and women who’ve preserved the vision delivered after the Declaration of Independence. Many, many men and women have met their end protecting the liberties we all enjoy. These liberties make it possible to start a business like GoEdison – along with the several businesses we have relationships with, the businesses that inspired us to start one of our own – not to mention the businesses that gave us the jobs which taught us what works and what doesn’t. The entrepreneurial spirit is – in many ways – the very conduit of the spirit envisioned by our Founders as they delivered the beginning of our era of liberty via the Declaration of Independence.
Independence is exactly what entrepreneurs seek, and it’s absolutely what they achieve through hard work, trusted relationships, and innovation. We at GoEdison feel a responsibility to pursue our promise of excellence through the virtue exhibited by those who continue forward with the spirit of liberty and honor – especially those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you to all who’ve served, all who’ve passed on this important message – preserving our nation’s spirit of liberty and independence – and thank you to all who continue to believe.
Be Bold.
We thank you.
GoEdison