American Independence Day
My small town does the Independence Day celebrations on the evening before. Watching the fireworks from my house chokes me up every year. The fact that a small town of barely 5000 can make sure that we celebrate the country’s birthday is great. We could always go to the nearest “big city” – the county seat – or into downtown “metropolitania” for our fireworks. But, no, we celebrate as a community – the way it is supposed to be.
That’s how our country was formed. Communities, big and small, came together to fight oppression. Now, communities come together to celebrate our freedom from that oppression.
When I watch the bombs bursting in the air, I don’t think about my ancestors (descendants of English pilgrims) who fought in the War for Independence. I don’t think about how generations of immigrants came to this country in search of a better life. Nor do I think about how the governmental model for the United States laid the background for other countries after their revolutions.
While it is important not to forget all these, we must be aware of our present and mindful of our future. The fireworks that will color our night skies from sea to shining sea should remind us that our land is a free land. They tell us that our liberties keep each one of us independent from the whims of others – including the whims of our neighbors and of our elected and appointed officials from the local to the federal levels.
Preserving our liberty is the most important thing. Without it, our cookouts, our gatherings and our celebratory displays of freedom will be a thing of the past.
That’s how our country was formed. Communities, big and small, came together to fight oppression. Now, communities come together to celebrate our freedom from that oppression.
When I watch the bombs bursting in the air, I don’t think about my ancestors (descendants of English pilgrims) who fought in the War for Independence. I don’t think about how generations of immigrants came to this country in search of a better life. Nor do I think about how the governmental model for the United States laid the background for other countries after their revolutions.
While it is important not to forget all these, we must be aware of our present and mindful of our future. The fireworks that will color our night skies from sea to shining sea should remind us that our land is a free land. They tell us that our liberties keep each one of us independent from the whims of others – including the whims of our neighbors and of our elected and appointed officials from the local to the federal levels.
Preserving our liberty is the most important thing. Without it, our cookouts, our gatherings and our celebratory displays of freedom will be a thing of the past.
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