There comes a time when enough is enough, and I have found that, when I reach that point, it’s time to hit the road.

Diane and I recently completed a swing through Kentucky, and, while we obviously kept connected to The Alpena News through its digital edition, we also enjoyed stepping away from the normal grind of news, news, news.

While the Roe vs. Wade decision did not escape us, nor the Michigan Legislature reaching consensus on the 2023 state budget, we didn’t allow ourselves to be absorbed by that chatter. Instead, we hiked mountain trails, went spelunking in a cave, and, of course, visited some historical sites — always a must for any of our excursions.

But, for those who really know me, you also know I never escape the news entirely.

The historical stop we made on this trip was to the birthplace and early childhood residences of President Abraham Lincoln. It was fascinating studying the early history of Lincoln’s life and how, but for a few disputes over property deed claims that led to his father moving the family to Illinois, Lincoln’s life might have taken a different course entirely.

A great orator and writer, I was struck by one particular quote of Lincoln’s during the visit.

“History is not history,” Lincoln wrote, “unless it’s the truth.”

Which led me to wonder: What truth will my grandchildren’s children grow up with in this push for political correctness in today’s culture?

This past week, much was being made of new polls that were taken showing an erosion of faith in the American ideals that our country was founded on. A Rasmussen Poll revealed “only 27 percent of people believe the founding fathers would consider the United States a success.”

Worse, 53% said the Founding Fathers would look to today’s county as a failure in this exercise of democracy.

Admittedly, the Rasmussen Poll is a conservative one. Turning to a more liberal-based national poll, the Gallup poll, only 38% said they were “extremely proud” of the country.

Both polls reveal a disturbing reality in the country today — our country is hurting.

Events like Jan. 6 have taken a toll on the populace as everyone tries to decipher “truth” from “fiction.” The further we move from that date, the more we wrestle with the reality of “perception” from that day becoming the “reality,” whether it is true or not.

As I pondered Lincoln’s quote, I was reminded of another president, Ronald Reagan, who, at the end of his term, reminded Americans that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.

“We’ve got to teach history based not on what’s in fashion but what’s important,” Reagan said. “If we forget what we did, we won’t know who we are. I’m warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit.”

All of us — conservative and liberal, white and Black, young and old, male and female — owe it to our children to not allow the American spirit to disappear.

Our Founding Fathers may not have been perfect, but they formed a republic that has stood the test of time. They, and the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, deserve our efforts to preserve and appreciate their sacrifice.

And that, my friends, is the truth.

Bill Speer recently retired as the publisher and editor of The News. He can be reached at bspeer@thealpenanews.com.