Independence Day

Who would wish to miss an opportunity to revel in everything the Fourth of July is and stands for? If you don’t like cookouts, fireworks, red, white, and blue tablecloths and corn on the cob, this holiday is not for you. It’s the kickoff of the real summer; the time of kids living in swimsuits, moms and dads wishing they could live in swimsuits, and all the watermelon and cantaloupe that’s fit to eat.

It’s also for expressing our pride and love. America is one of a kind. She’s bruised and battered, and her flag is mocked and mauled all around the world, but her noble head never bows and her generous heart beats as strong and true as ever.

When we come together to celebrate our independence, do we really understand what it means? Independence Day is still the pure celebration of the real meaning of America. For us, never losing sight of the sacrifices made for the implementation of “The Great Experiment” is a moral imperative.

We are the ones who fly our flags proudly and often. We are the ones who vote with the understanding of the activity, armed with knowledge of the candidates and what they stand for. We are the ones who are willing to volunteer for a military that may go to the far corners of the world, there to fight and spill our blood so that others may have a share of the bountiful blessings we find so easy to take for granted. And we are the ones who can’t hold back the tears at the sight of that beautiful flag floating on the breeze. We jump to our feet when she passes by. We put our hands over our hearts and sing the National Anthem with verve and emotion.

We are Americans, and darned proud of it.