As I made my way back from D.C. to the District, I found myself reflecting on what the 250th anniversary of our Nation really means to me and the people I’m honored to represent.
America 250 is more than a celebration of history. It is a reminder of the extraordinary idea that a government can exist by and for the people, rooted in liberty, responsibility, and faith in something greater than ourselves. It’s the story of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things – from the farms and forests of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to the battlefields where generations of Veterans have defended our freedoms.
In Michigan’s First District, we understand sacrifice and service. We know what it means to work hard, to look out for our neighbors, and to pass on something better to our children and grandchildren. That spirit is the same spirit that built this Nation 250 years ago, and it is the same spirit that will carry us forward.
America 250 is also a call to action. We must ensure that the next generation – our kids and grandkids – inherit a country that is strong, free, and secure. That means supporting our Veterans, strengthening our economy, protecting our communities, and defending the Constitution that has stood the test of time.
Serving in the Marine Corps for 40 years, I’ve seen firsthand the price of freedom. As your Representative, I carry that understanding with me every day in Washington. America’s story is not finished, it’s continually being written by each of us.
As we mark this historic anniversary, I encourage everyone across the First District to take part in celebrations, community events, and conversations about what it means to be American. Let us celebrate not just where we have been, but recommit ourselves to where we are going.
The next 250 years depend on the same values that brought us this far: faith, freedom, service, and an unshakable belief in the American people.
God bless you, and God bless our United States of America.
Jack Bergman
