The Pastor’s Piece – Pastor Kevin Cernek, FCFI Chaplain

FCFI

June 28, 2026

I have been to a lot of places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I’ve also never been in Cognito, either. I hear no one recognizes you there. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump. I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips, thanks to my friends and family.

Geezers – slang for elderly men – are easy to spot. I have found that these men are not simply older; they are seasoned. They are shaped by time, experience, and a sense of duty that seems increasingly rare in today’s world. You can spot them easily at sporting events. During the playing of the National Anthem, they stand without hesitation. They place their hand over their heart, sing without embarrassment, and they know every word. If you bump into one on a sidewalk, he will apologize first. If you pass one on the street, he will likely nod or sometimes even tip his hat to a lady. These small gestures reveal a life formed by courtesy, discipline, and honor.

These men trust strangers more readily than most would advise, and they are respectful toward women in a way that feels almost courtly by today’s standards. They hold doors open for others without thinking twice. They are uncomfortable with profanity and they tend to avoid violence and vulgarity. Above all, they possess a quiet moral courage. They do not often boast, except perhaps about grandchildren in Little League games or school recitals – but even then, it is a certain pride mixed with humility.

It is easy to overlook such people in a culture that often celebrates noise over character. Yet these Geezers remind us of something essential: a nation is not held together merely by institutions or policies. It is held together by character. It is protected not only by politicians or police, but by ordinary men and women, especially those who once served in uniform, who answered the call of duty without fanfare, did their best, and returned home quietly to their families.

This country, at its best, has always depended on that kind of spirit. It is the spirit of responsibility, sacrifice, and love of neighbor. We are living on the foundation built by those who came before us. It is a privilege to live in a nation with such a rich and complex history. Our founding fathers were careful in their design of government, seeking to establish something rooted in order, law, and moral principle. While some debate the details of their intent, the historical record shows that they believed that liberty could not survive apart from virtue, and that virtue was deeply connected to moral truth. And moral truth was deeply connected to the Bible. Writers and thinkers such as John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Noah Webster, and John Witherspoon emphasized that liberty must be grounded in moral restraint and a shared understanding of right and wrong. They believed that the American experiment was not merely political, but also moral in nature.

The distinction between a democracy and a republic is often misunderstood. A democracy, in its purest form, is rule by majority vote. A republic is rule by law, where representatives govern within a constitutional framework. The founders intentionally chose a republic, recognizing the danger of shifting moral standards governed only by popular opinion.

As Noah Webster once observed, the strength of a republic depends on the moral character of its people, and that character is shaped by foundational truths. When a society loses its moral anchor, laws alone are not enough to preserve liberty. This is why the early American thinkers believed that knowledge of Biblical principles were essential in shaping civic virtue. That is why the words of Psalm 33:12 still resonate: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” This reminds us that a nation’s strength is deeply connected to its moral foundation.

As we reflect on the meaning of freedom, perhaps we would do well to remember both the wisdom of those who built this country and the quiet dignity of those who have preserved its character in everyday life. The geezers we often overlook, the veterans we honor, the parents and grandparents who quietly live with integrity, all of them are part of what sustains a nation. Freedom is not maintained only by governments. It is sustained by people who still believe in duty, respect, courage, and faithfulness. And for that, we are thankful.

As we celebrate our nation’s heritage, may we not only remember where we have come from, but also consider what kind of people we must be if that heritage is to endure.

Have a safe and meaningful Fourth of July.

Kevin Cernek is Lead Pastor of Martintown Community Church in Martintown, Wisconsin.