To the Founders: It hasn’t been easy. We’ve made mistakes in the past two and a half centuries. But a lot of us still regard with precious sentiment that you pledged your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred honor.

I have tried to uphold the duties imparted unto me as a citizen of this land. In reflecting upon the occasion, I am impressed with the conviction that my efforts have been found lacking. Very, very few of us, it must be said, have dedicated ourselves to uphold the responsibilities that come with the qualities that you announced for all time were of full rights to be bestowed upon every man and woman.

So it is that on this occasion, the two hundredth and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of our nation, that I resolve to devote however many years are within my lifetime to serving my native land with all the strength, and wisdom, and temerity that are mine to command.

I challenge every citizen of these United States to do likewise.

We are not yet the perfect Union. But we have come to be a more perfect Union. This is a process, lumps and all. And for all of the sins of the Founders that have become fashionable to condemn, it must be stated with all due confidence that those men, the greatest of their generation, gave us the means to draw closer to the ideals of freedom. America is and always has been a work in progress. We lift up what works and we take down what doesn’t. It’s gotten us this far, despite our faults and foibles. Maybe it can get us a little further.

I think a lot of harm has been done to our republic over the years. Especially in the past century. Too many of us have come to see this country as something to exploit and take from without having to contribute to it. Many people have done things that in a sane world would be deemed outright treasonous. Those will be dealt with in due time. Nobody ever got away with it forever, and so it will be with our republic.

But for all of that, America is still that shining city upon the hill. It is a sacred trust for her citizens, and an inspiration for those in distant lands who may not yet fully know freedom. It is still something that we can be thankful that we are a part of.

So I’m committing to be a better citizen of this great land. It’s what an Eagle Scout, no matter his age, should do. And I call upon ever other American who is reading these words to do that also.

Christopher Knight