Post by Michael Degenhart, AEP, CAP

My family arrived in America aboard the Bevis in 1638, long before there was a United States. More than a century later, my sixth great-grandfather, Lt. Joseph Carpenter, fought in the Revolutionary War to help create this nation. In nearly 400 years, my family has lived through wars, depressions, political divisions, and countless administrations. Some seasons have made us proud. Others have challenged us. Through it all, one thing hasn’t changed: my belief in America. Governments and leaders come and go. The ideals that have sustained this country—freedom, opportunity, self-government, and the belief that each generation can leave the nation better than it found it—are what endure. As we celebrate America’s 250th year, I’m grateful for the sacrifices of those who came before us and optimistic that our best days are still ahead.