My Fellow Liberians,

I bring greetings and peace to you in my name and my hope is that these greetings are with the blessings of our Great Arbiter. May He continue to guide and direct us and our work.

My family joins me in wishing you and yours a very happy Independence Day (26th), the one hundred and fifty-ninth anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Liberia.

Let us pause for a moment here in silence and pay our respects, giving solemn tribute to our forefathers who on July 26, 1847, took the historic decision to declare independence for our country and people and establish institutions that are capable of sustaining the deep aspirations for freedom. The decision also established a mission that entailed extreme sacrifices, including shedding blood in the building of Liberia. May the souls of the many faithful servants who have rendered their lives for Liberia rest in blissful repose, through the mercy of God, our Father. Amen.

As we have gathered together from all walks of life in South Florida to participate in the festivities that commemorate our country's 159th Independence anniversary, it is my ardent prayer that our presence here will be characterized by love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and oneness of purpose.

It is also, important that we acknowledge, with much gratitude, the presence and contributions of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and the United Nations, including the UN Peace Keeping Force, whose work served as a means of navigating a pathway to free, fair and transparent elections, forming a significant turning point after years of turmoil in our recent history. As a result of the resources and efforts of our partners in mission, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf emerged as the 23rd president of Liberia. She became the first Woman President in Africa - a pride of Africa. the Liberian Communities of Florida, Inc., salutes President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for her election to the presidency of Liberia, a most notable achievement, and extends to her our warm patriotic hands of support and our renewed commitment to nation building.

As we joyfully celebrate the 159th Independence anniversary of the Republic of Liberia, let us remember that Liberia faces enormous

development challenges in health, education, the supply of safe drinking water, the maintenance of public sanitation, the provision of safe, reliable, and affordable transportation, electricity supply, the availability of affordable nutritious food, and many other requirements for development. Its my firm belief that our collective efforts and renewed commitment would go a long way in assuring that we contribute immensely to nation building.

My fellow citizens, let us commit ourselves to work that never again should we allow war to destroy the lives and properties of Liberians; let our attention, in contrast, be geared at the eradication of illiteracy, disease and poverty in Liberia and our mother continent Africa.

"IN UNION STRONG, SUCCESS IS SURE, WE CANNOT FAIL! WITH GOD ABOVE OUR RIGHTS TO PROVE, WE WILL OVER ALL PREVAIL!"


Long Live the United Nations!

Long Live Africa!

Long Live Liberia!

Happy 26th Day of July!



Yours,

Benedict Flahn, Chairman
Liberian Communties of Florida, Inc.