Happy 250th Anniversary, America!

Today, I want to start by celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America.

Our nation has endured sacrifice, war, division, hardship, and renewal. Enough blood has been shed to give meaning to every red stripe on the flag, and we are blessed to call this magnificent country home.

I pray that America continues to honor the Constitution, serve its people, and remain worthy of the sacrifices made on her behalf.

May God bless Texas, and may God bless the United States of America.

It has also been nearly a week since the release of Eulogy for the Stripes to the public. The early feedback has been very encouraging, and it means more to me than I can easily express.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending an event alongside current and former military members. I was humbled to spend a few moments with people who care deeply about service, country, and the future of our republic.

I also participated in an Authorfest at a local library, where I spoke with authors, readers, volunteers, and community members who helped make the day possible. It was the end of a long Saturday from the two events, but it turned into one of the most memorable weekends I’ve had in some time.

New opportunities are already arising to talk about the novel, explain its story, and find ways to contribute to my community.

That gives me hope.

Eulogy for the Stripes is a cautionary tale about the erosion of freedom, but anyone who knows me personally also knows that I am an optimist.

At work, as a global program manager, I’ve always looked for risks downstream. My job has been to identify potential issues, raise concerns early, and help teams achieve the best possible outcome before small problems become big ones.

I bring that same instinct to writing.

Concern for the future doesn’t come from despair; it comes from believing it’s still worth protecting.

There’s no other country I’d rather live, build, write, raise a family, and pursue opportunities than the United States of America. And there’s no place where I value those freedoms more than here in Texas.

America has survived crises that ended other civilizations. That endurance should inspire gratitude and a sense of responsibility. We should want this country to succeed, not just for ourselves, but for those who will inherit what we preserve or neglect.

I want to close by recognizing the Whiskey Valor Foundation, which benefited from one of the events I attended this weekend. Whiskey Valor is a nonprofit that raises funds and awareness through community events and partnerships to support veterans and their families. Its mission also includes promoting mental health, responsible drinking, and efforts to reduce drunk driving in the military community.

Even if this post reaches only a few people who decide to learn more about their work, then writing it was worth it.

Happy 250th anniversary, America.

May we stay grateful for what we inherited, honest about what threatens it, and faithful to what we pass in what we pass forward.