State Treasurer Robert Sprague joins local Independence Day rally

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart was invited to join leaders from across the state at an Independence Day rally at Birchard Park in Fremont on July 4. The event, which was organized by Sandusky County Republican Party Chairman Justin Smith, featured speeches by Frankart, State Treasurer Robert Sprague, State Senator Bill Reineke, State Rep. Gary Click, Sandusky County Commissioner Scott Miller and Republican State Central Committeewoman Susan Platt.

The event was cohosted with Smith by Barbara Bristley of American Page, and Andrew Dean provided music.

Sprague began his speech by praising the work Reineke has accomplished for citizens and businesses across Ohio.

“No one does more for workforce in the state than Sen. Bill Reineke,” Sprague said.

Sprague described America as a country unlike any in the world.

“It’s not only unique because of its people, but it’s unique because of what we believe,” Sprague said.

Among those beliefs is the unquestionable right of freedom.

“Freedom is not passed on in our bloodlines. It’s not guaranteed to our children and grandchildren,” Sprague said. “What is guaranteed is our right to defend it.”

On a day when America celebrates its freedoms, Reineke spoke about the impact that decisions make on the safeguarding of those freedoms. He talked about the strategic decisions of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, then an Army general, that contributed to Allied success at Normandy on D-Day, and he praised the decisions of young men who bravely joined the fight during WWII.

Reineke also honored the veterans throughout history who made the decision to join the Armed Forces, thereby playing a significant role in protecting American freedoms.

 

“We want to make sure we thank them, and we want to thank their families,” Reineke said. “Let’s continue to make good decisions for America moving forward.”

During his speech, Click quoted a section of the Declaration of Independence: “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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Click called these 55 words “the heartbeat of America” which highlight fundamental underpinnings of the country, among them truth and the right to seek happiness.

“There are absolute truths in the world today,” Click said.

He went on to explain a common misperception about the rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

“It does not secure the right to be happy, but the right to pursue happiness,” Click said. “The purpose of government is to secure your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Click said the writers of the Declaration of Independence understood that as they sought independence from British colonial rule, they recognized their dependence on God.

“It’s not just a declaration of independence but a declaration of dependence,” Click said.

Frankart echoed that truth in his own speech.

“On Independence Day, we recognize our dependence on God and the impact we can have on our communities when we follow Him. We live in a great country that still allows us to do that,” Frankart said.

After his speech, Bristley presented a framed poster depicting Ohio’s state motto to Frankart “in gratitude for his generosity.” Frankart and his wife, Janet – who was in the audience with their daughter, Kayla, and their granddaughter, Joy – have been overwhelmingly generous to the Seneca County and Sandusky County communities. They have often opened their farm for events, have made tremendous financial and in-kind donations, and have committed countless hours of volunteer labor toward making life better in Northwest Ohio.

Frankart was surprised and grateful for the gift, and he is thankful that he and his wife are not working alone. The leaders who spoke at the rally work tirelessly to ensure that their constituents can pursue the free and happy lives that America’s forefathers envisioned when they formed the framework of the United States.

“As I look around at the crowd and the great leadership we have in this area – Treasurer Robert Sprague, Senator Reineke and Rep. Click – I am thankful for the strong foundation that is helping to build a secure and happy future for our children and grandchildren,” Frankart said.