By Ski Ingram
January 2026
America’s Mission Statement
I was reading the mission statements of Fortune 500 companies which got me thinking about America’s mission statement. Do we have a mission statement? What could it be? The Bank of America’s mission statement is, “To help make financial lives better through the power of every connection.” IBM’s mission statement is, “Our mission and purpose is to be a catalyst that makes the world work better.” Both of these statements tell us the purpose of those companies. So, what does America’s mission statement say? Many of you have read it numerous times without realizing it is a mission statement.
America’s mission statement is, “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.” These powerful words are found in the second paragraph of the Decloration of Independence. They were designed to inspire Americans to sacrifice whatever was needed for the cause of freedom.
Today, there are forces in this country who want to destroy our freedom. There are many who do not understand the freedom we have or why that freedom is so important, not only to our citizenry but to the rest of the world. Obtaining our freedom from Great Brittain was not easy, in fact not everyone in the colonies wanted freedom.
During the Revolutionary War approximately one-third of the people were still loyal to the King, one-third supported the Revolution and one-third would not support either side. According to polls, most of today’s issues are 80/20 issues. Meaning that 80% of Americans support correcting the negative Issues in government and support those who honor our Constitution, from which our freedom and liberty come, and fight those who are working to take away our freedoms.
Just as those colonists were ready to give their all for the cause of freedom, we must do the same. Most of you will not be called on to give your life or even risk it, as our military and law enforcement officers. However, if you call yourself a true patriot it is imperative that you study the issues in every election and then vote for that the person who will fight to maintain our Constitution.
How do we fight those who would destroy America as we know it? By teaching our children and grandchildren why freedom is so important. By speaking up in public places and helping to get out the vote of those who love this country. Remember two powerful quotes from President Ronald Reagan 50 years ago, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem” and Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
It is also valuable to remember one of my favorite quotes from Thomas Paine during the Revolutionary War, “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
My hope is that we will not be sunshine patriots or summer soldiers. Freedom is not free. I took an oath years ago to defend our freedoms from all enemies foreign and domestic. I have not been released from the oath. If you took the same oath, no matter how many years ago, you are still obligated to honor it. If you have never served or taken that oath, today is not too late.
Ski Ingram is a combat veteran and a life member of five different veteran’s organizations as well as the NRA. He can be reached at www.Skiingram.com
