250 Years. Still Becoming.

A nation is not defined only by where it begins.

It is defined by who it has the courage to become.

As we celebrate 250 years of the United States, I also reflect on Juneteenth, a reminder that freedom is most powerful when it is experienced by everyone.

These are not competing stories.

They are the story of a nation continually striving to better embody its highest ideals.

As a veteran, I witnessed Americans from every walk of life stand shoulder to shoulder in pursuit of something greater than themselves. That remains one of my greatest sources of hope.

The America our children inherit will not be shaped solely by the history behind us, but by the character, courage, and stewardship we demonstrate today.

Happy 250th Birthday, America.

May we never stop becoming.