#1 – Appreciation of Our National Heritage

America’s Heritage is celebrated here because for the first time in the annals of history this ideal was declared in our founding documents: “All men are created equal.” Indeed, “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights...among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”^[1] Our heritage is a tradition of servant leaders who pursue these principles for themselves and others. These universal principles, and America’s promotion of them, have been a force for good and unity amongst diverse nations, communities, and families around the world.

We appreciate America’s history and recognize the great men and women who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to establish, promote, and secure the heritage of this nation. We show respect and gratitude for our country’s traditions and national symbols. Our scholars love our country and seek to incorporate core American principles in their own lives and to promote them in their communities.

^[1] Thomas Jefferson, “The Declaration of Independence,” 1776.