Patriotic Reflections
WHAT JULY 4TH MEANS TO YOU
America's Birthday Party
Reflecting on the history and deeper meaning of the Fourth of July is important and it's also fun to remember the wonderful ways our nation celebrates. Many of you wrote about the personal, hometown or family celebrations that are dear to your hearts. Thank you for allowing us to share some of your responses here.
From: James Erdmanczyk – Registered Voter, Georgia
Capitol Fourth reminds me of the time when Dairy Queen would drive their Cushman three wheeler among each neighborhood serving sundries. Second, getting to learn about what veterans represented when attending Cub Scout and Boy Scout meetings. Three, standing next to friends and family to buy a Cotton Candy and then watch the fire works among a crowd of people proud to be standing next to their fathers and grandfathers that had returned from the nations wars and celebrating liberty with them under the exciting fire works lighting up the star light sky. Fourth, seeing all those musicians that had taken time from their professional jobs to get together and tune in regularly to play patriotic songs for the public at the open theater. Fifth, I had been putting in time practicing scales on my keyboard and each time I do my neighbors find a new respect for all those musicians that put their philosophy to play John Phillips Sousa and other patriotic music for the community.
From: Ian Sampson, California
What does the Fourth of July mean to me? It means a lot to me. I enjoy celebrating the day that honors America's independence by being with my family and friends, attending the community parade, sometimes attending a baseball game, and then capping off the day by watching the fireworks.
From: Jennifer Quinn, stationed in South Korea
The 4th of July means a lot to me. As a US soldier currently stationed in South Korea, it means even more. At home, we always had a parade around our neighborhood in the morning, around noon or so. That would be followed by a picnic in our local park. I can remember taking out our dog, putting red, white and blue streamers around her neck and paws, and marching in the parade with the rest of the families. Even as I got older, and the parade crowd stayed mostly kids and their parents, I still liked to participate. In fact, I did it just last year, at age 22, just a scant month before leaving for Army Basic Training. Here in Korea, I miss that. I miss the spirit of unification that day always brought. On the Fourth in America, everyone is friendly. Everyone is smiling, is unified in the bonds of our patriotism. I have always been highly patriotic. It culminated in my joining the Army. And all I ask is that while you celebrate on this 4th of July, you remember us, far away from our families and traditions. Remember us, who are here for you, for all of you, and have given up so much to be here. Celebrate for us. Enjoy your freedom. Happy Independence Day!
From: Joseph J. Carroll, Illinois
The fourth is also my wife’s (Josie) birthday and each year Jose, my daughter Mary and my son Patrick and I celebrate the nation’s birthday along with Josie’s. I have always stressed the greatness of this country and it’s people and what an honor it truly is to be an American to my children. I have stressed with greatness comes much responsibility and, while other nations may not realize the breadth of our kindness, we must continue to be willing to share our good fortune with the rest of the world and not to succumb to the negativity we so often find ourselves portrayed as having.
From Iris Jacobs, Maryland
It’s a chance to wish my country a happy birthday and to thank our founding fathers for their genius in forming her. Blessings and warts, it is still the greatest place in the world.
From: Maren Barduson, Minnesota
The 4th of July is the birthday of our wonderful nation. It is a patriotic holiday – and that should mean a patriotic program to celebrate the 4th ... Went to a boat parade on one of the Minnesota lakes today – and that is what it is all about. Boat with people singing, bands, and everyone wishing everyone a happy 4th – and all the music we heard (which was a lot) was patriotic and about the freedom we have in this wonderful country.
From: Annette Miserendino, New York
“I not only celebrate the birth of our beautiful country, but my husband and I celebrate the day we met, 60 years ago this year. He was two days home from Europe dressed in his uniform and wearing his Infantry Combat Badge and very proud of it. He had just been discharged from the Army after being in Europe for almost two years. So, it is a double holiday for us.”
From: Susan L. Carlson, Texas
“As a child growing up in the Northwest corner of North Dakota, near Fortuna, our farming community would gather for a full day of picnicking and games at an old farmsite – Taylor's Grove, we called it. There was no running water or farmhouse so everything was hauled in on pick-up trucks and in cars. Lunch was served on long tables covered with linen clothes – "hot dishes" and salads were the main entrees, as I recall. The afternoon consisted of a baseball game with all ages playing. We had very good local players from my dad's era in the 30's - 40's and up through the 1970's. At night, even with the inevitable mosquitoes, we had fireworks. It was a full day that lasted nearly 12 hours. Very wonderful memories!! ”
From: Megan, Indiana
“The Fourth of July is an extra-special day for me not only because it is, as well, my birthday, but because on that day in history our founding fathers had the courage to stand up for our independence and break away from one of the world's greatest powers at the time. My family and I are attending the A Capitol Fourth for my eighteenth birthday this year and I cannot wait. Patriotism is a very strong force that unites all races of this great nation, and I cannot imagine what it will feel like to be in the presence of hundreds of thousands celebrating the birth of our nation.”
From: George Alexa, Virginia
"What makes this day special? People. People and people. People from every walk of life, walking and smiling with their children as their dogs romp along in the park. This day unites me, if only for a moment, to that man and woman who are enjoying the celebrations. My annual traditions have changed over the years as I come to my sixty years plus. The tradition of fireworks remains, though I now watch PBS's coverage and my children step into my former position by going to the National Mall. It is nearly twelve midnight as I write and the sadness comes upon me as the celebration comes to an end. I end my day with a prayer for all Americans. I pray for peace for each one. Do you think we all shall pray for peace? Let's be people of peace and take this celebration into the next day."
From: Erica Moffitt, Pennsylvania
"I love the Fourth of July, possibly even more than my birthday! At my house, we watch the fireworks on TV and the fireworks locally usually around our backyard. We celebrate with family and friends eating hot dogs and hamburgers. My mom watches the TV fireworks, while I prefer watching them live. In other years, we"d go park off the side of Front Street in Enola by the river and watch the live fireworks with other people. It was like a family of strangers just hanging out with their dogs, while kids played in the shallow parts of the river. My favorite part of Independence Day is the fireworks. I think fireworks on the Fourth symbolize such American pride that, when watching fireworks, even strangers get along perfectly. The Fourth of July means unity, respect, pride and togetherness. Independence Day makes me proud to be an American."
From: Alice Munoz, California
"Of course I think of our Country's Independence when the Fourth of July rolls around every year, but in reality this day means a day off from work, BBQ'd ribs, corn on the cob, Mom's potato salad, our family getting together and the noisy, smoky, beautiful fireworks, the first big celebration of summer."
From: Jasmine Grossman, Louisiana
"It is very interesting and it has a lot of fireworks."
From: Liza Jane Grossman, Louisiana
"I like the Fourth of July because it's fun."
