God Bless America

As we approach the Fourth of July, I am sure we all have a different reason the Fourth of July is important to us. We also each have a different reason we celebrate the Fourth of July. From my perspective, I think about what the day, and this country mean to me.

The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, has been a National Holiday since 1941. The tradition of Independence Day, however, goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

Personally, the Fourth of July always brings up family. My mother’s family has always held a family reunion on the Saturday closest to the Fourth. As a child, I have many fond memories of this gettogether. For years, this reunion was held at my grandparents’ house in Arkansas. We had the obligatory reunion food: watermelon, ice cream potato salad, and the like. The best part, though was the family time. After several years in Arkansas, I remember the reunion moving to Louisiana, which is where the family actually hails from. There was a really nice city park where we rented one of the community center buildings each year. There was still all the great food, and awesome family fellowship.

Family get-togethers are not the only thing. The Fourth just would not be the Fourth without one thing in particular: fireworks. Now, I know I may be 40 years old, but a good fireworks display still makes me giddy. A great fireworks display? Now that will take my breath away. I have always loved fireworks, and I have watched many different varieties of fireworks show. I have watched them in the big city, and in my own front yard. I watched them over lakes and rivers, and I have watched them at sporting events. Nothing can beat a good Fourth of July fireworks show, though Something about the pyrotechnics and how they resemble what amateur poet Francis Scott Key witnessed during the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor in the War of 1812. “The Star-Spangled Banner,” with its lines “and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there,” has become our National Anthem.

Looking at our current situation, I wonder how much longer we will be able to celebrate the Independence of this nation as we currently do. It seems everyone is offended by something, and I just wonder when there will be a group who attacks our celebrations because they are “offended.” And no, this is not political, it is simply what I see may be in the future for us. But, I can guarantee that, as long as I am able, I will celebrate this country, and what our forefathers founded the country on.

However you choose to celebrate the Fourth, remember this one thing: had it not been for our forefathers, and those settlers who fought organized British troops with whatever they had, we would not have the opportunity to celebrate like we do. God Bless America!