♪ ♪ Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KU Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for joining us for this special episode celebrating our country's Independents.

Hope you had a good day today.

It was quite a road.

We took to become a free nation as our Toby Gibbs now shows us.

>> The story begins well before 17.

76 tensions had been building between the 13 colonies and the mother country.

Great Britain for more than a decade, according to Carol Easterly of the Kentucky Historical Society.

>> Really the main kind of rallying cry no taxation without representation.

Columnist did not have any representatives in parliament and yet the British government continue to kind of pile on.

I'm Ed more and more taxes and they really felt that that was pretty unfair.

And that had been going on for a while, the way back in the 17 60's.

>> A growing movement push for independence from Britain.

War began in 17.

75, though, not all columnists supported the revolution.

There were those loyal to Britain and they hope to reconciliation was still possible.

>> I've read historians estimate anywhere between 15, 20, maybe 30% of colonists were loyal to the British crown.

Some of them Some fled to Canada where they received and given asylum in Canada.

Some did take up arms with the British Army.

There wasn't sort of a general uprising of loyalists and others just tried to kind of stay out of the fray, but they would not join the colonists in their fight against the British government.

>> In May of 17, 76, almost 2 months before the Declaration of Independence.

The continental Congress passed a resolution urging the colonies to break away from Britain and form their own government.

Massachusetts delegate John Adams wrote the preamble to that resolution and always believe that preamble was the true Declaration of Independence.

>> Adams is ego and rivalry was Jefferson might have had a little bit to do with with his ongoing insistence.

>> In a sense, July 4th is not Independence Day.

The continental Congress met in Philadelphia on July.

First, the next day, July second, 12 of the 13 colonies voted for Richard Henry.

Lee's motion for Independence.

Delegates then spent the next 2 days.

Revising the document announcing and explaining the decision to break away from Britain.

A document already being worked on by Virginia delegate Thomas Jefferson.

Then on July 4th, the continental Congress adopted that document, the Declaration of Independence with late 18th century transportation and communications slow it took days even weeks.

>> For word to spread throughout the colonies and territories beyond including Kentucky.

>> It would have taken several weeks at least 4 news from the eastern colonies to reach These frontier settlements were still very remote, Kentucky at this point still part of Virginia colony of Virginia in 17.

76, it became a separate county and that was for the purpose of defense.

>> The Declaration of Independence and its famous phrases of men are created equal that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have inspired Americans for almost 250 years and people seeking freedom in other parts of the world.

Carol Easterly says the declarations message can still inspire unity today.

>> I think we're we're living through very polarized moment right now.

But the ideals.

That are expressed in in the Declaration of Independence.

It's something that all Americans can get behind.

Now, certainly very high ideals.

And once that we've never perfectly lift up to as a country.

But that doesn't mean we don't continue to try to live more fully into them to grow into them.

And we've had activists at different times in our history have called us out.

And it kind of tried, you know, called us to be who we say we want to be in in the Declaration of independence.

And so I think it's it's kind of a beacon for us to, you know, a goal to kind of continue growing toward as a country.

>> For KET, I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> Thank you to obey.

It's been said that one of America's greatest strengths is the diversity of its people.

Immigrants from all over the world flock to the U.S. and they're a pass for them to become U.S. citizens.

Kentucky recently welcome.

35 new U.S. citizens adding to our rich diversity and history.

>> was the oath ceremony.

So I'm officially a U.S. citizen.

We started the process back in 2020.

So it's been 4 years.

It's an exciting journey I can ever imagine.

I'm so to the lawyer for opening the store for me that come I met my wife here.

I have my child here.

>> I've been really blessed to be be here in this country.

>> I think there's a lot that American citizens take for granted.

Just the freedom that we have here.

You know, I know is the melting pot or one of the most diverse nations and for my husband, he grew up in a car, communist country.

And so moving here was just eye-opening.

You love that from the moment he set foot in the U.S. and started college here.

So it's been special to get to appreciate my citizenship in a new way being married to an immigrant.

>> I lot of people dream to be a citizen here.

They want to come here just because of the the blessings that this country has to offer and I think most importantly, just the freedom that it stands for.

>> This hour in this place, workers should be no question to this is who we are.

Choice.

>> Really eye-opening.

Just to see how intense is the process is in all of the steps that people have to take.

And it was really special.

I turned up during the ceremony just seeing, you know how much it means to people who are immigrate here.

You know, we're a nation of immigrants.

And I think it's amazing that, you know, every day or I guess every week we still are having people that are becoming U.S. citizens immigrating just like they have for hundreds of years.

You know, it's what makes us unique as a nation.

I think that that's the beauty of what makes is accepting where everybody comes from and all of our different cultural backgrounds and just a really great >> To be here to be a an American >> When you >> July 4th is America's Independents.

But July second marks another notable milestone regarding freedom.

It's the day the Civil Rights Act of 1964, became law this year is the 60th anniversary of that historic signing activism and demonstrations propelled that law, which includes the massive march on Washington and a year later, the March on Frankfort and 1964.

Doctor Martin Luther King junior participated in the march as did baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson and the singing trio Peter Paul and Mary, the Fraser Museum in Louisville observe the anniversary by inviting some of the people who marched with him to talk about the experience and the civil rights movement in Kentucky.

>> Frank Stanley June.

>> The editor of the Black owned Louisville defender newspaper decided to organize a march on Frank for remember, this is coming on the heels of the march on Washington and Doctor King's I have a dream speech in August of 1963. as the organizers wrote to those who made the decision to March on Frankfort and I quote You as a believer in the cost for human dignity are making your wishes known by participating in this is Stuart petition of our elected officials for a redress of grievances.

People came from.

>> that the people you would not know that CBN, the places like when he asked people who came from all over the state 2000 people who would leave the chain whose team always been sort of leave.

No question about that.

>> they >> The patients with which to.

>> It was all Washington led to a my home front foot.

>> The 64 civil Rights Bill.

Now only made it to 60.

Think they were right there with you can not be so simple.

Lights went out in the world that.

>> Commission on Human Rights was established in 1968.

>> When him stating Lights, the mission was first.

The snow before that a different vision for the passage of legislation says C, but then the commission the same authority as the low, the rest of the complaints of discrimination.

All of that ever been in place.

It not been for the last 2 days before the civil rights movement continues today.

So when we talk about what was going away and Frankfort as well, and I believe that what we're seeing now >> is those individuals and Frankfort are 5 to make of this solution on not only what our >> history has taught us that what many of these false have the mayor has a little bit of the people who would love to.

But I hope our top stories from all our mothers and our great man.

>> In honor of the 60th anniversary, hundreds participated in a re-enactment of the march on Frankfort, 6 decades have passed.

But for marchers, they say the message was the same that there's work to be done.

>> It was here in our capital city.

People from all walks of life came together 60 years ago.

And a peaceful but powerful protest to prompt are state leaders to take action.

And that March on the Capitol steps, it was a demand that Kentucky joining and the national struggle for racial equality today as we celebrate that pivotal March, we honor the memory of those who's footsteps.

We follow.

And their vision that continues.

The guy is today.

Our march today is more than a historical re-enactment.

It's a testament to the Commonwealth and Frankfurt's role in the larger civil rights movement.

>> It was a bold declaration.

That Kentucky.

Our Commonwealth.

Was ready to leave the self out of the shadows of segregation and discrimination that Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966, the steps one of our human race Commission with powers and the adoption of for housing laws were not just legislative victories.

Inside that Civil Rights act of 1966, was diverse.

In the country and its part similar actions across our nation.

So Kentucky was not a follower.

Kentucky was aliah the fabric of our nation.

As well with the threads of diversity immunity yet it is tested.

But the forces of division.

And any quality.

Pay us.

Is present in the halls.

>> Well, frankly.

Government.

Right now.

There are those it even do not understand.

Do not all intentional about.

Stopping what must go forward.

And that is our understanding of our history.

Do it for most of our president so that we can make decisions that shape the just.

Adjusts and unified future.

♪ ♪ John Franklin reminds us that our work is far from finished.

>> And their way to justice to What the forces of hate and division threatened to drown out the call for unity and equality.

It all resolves must be stronger.

>> The 60th anniversary of that March was held on March.

The 5th of this year.

Louisville civil rights activists, Mattie Jones and state Senator Gerald Neal, who you just saw.

We're at the anniversary of the march and the March 60 years ago.

Independence Day is also a time to remember those who protect the freedoms we value.

And Warren County people can learn the impressive stories of Kentucky aviators with a display of restored warbirds at the aviation Heritage Park and Museum.

Our Laura Rodgers takes us on a tour.

>> On April 16th in 1972, I was flying at this very one and I became involved in a very intense aerial dogfight with an enemy May 21.

>> Brigadier General Dan Cherry emerged victorious from that combat mission.

Decades later, he would meet the man he shot down that day.

>> In our dog fight, I saw him clearly in his parachute for by him more than a couple 100 feet.

>> Cherry was reunited with that mega pilot on Live Vietnamese television in 2008, a story he would later recount in the book.

My Enemy, my friend.

>> We asked our hands and a very firm handshake.

And he said welcome to my country.

I'm glad to see that you're in good health.

And I hope that we can be friends.

>> They would meet again a year later for the grand opening of aviation Heritage Park and Sherry's home town lingering.

And for the first time in history.

>> A fighter pilot who was shot down in combat.

We turn to sit in the cockpit.

I'll be actual airplane that shot him down.

>> It is the stories of aviators like cherry that weave the fabric of aviation Heritage Park.

An idea that formed 15 years ago when the plane cherry flew the F 4 phantom was discovered near Dayton, Ohio.

It was in pretty sad shape.

It was all in one piece.

Thank God, but it was.

>> We're really It was nasty.

>> One day the aircraft is beautifully restored.

It was the first on display and set the tone for what was to come.

Our dream.

>> Was to gather the stories of south central Kentucky aviators.

People from around this area that had made significant contributions to aviation and tell those stories through the use of artifacts.

8 artifacts a lot of stories and they're out there on the circle of honor.

>> A lot of stories that are the product of a lot of hours of meticulous restoration and >> It's a lot of work.

Sometimes months, thousands of man hours and every one of these aircraft.

So when one of our visitors says man, it looks like that things could take off right now.

That's the point.

That is exactly the point.

We want them to catch their breath and see my goodness.

What an incredibly rich and important.

Aviation heritage that we have here.

>> Heritage that includes Colonel Matt Reynolds from Bowling Green and served as a presidential Helen copter pilot.

>> Colonel Matt Grenell's, a flu 4 different presidents during his time with A T M X One.

The squadron that handles all of the presidential and VIP transport in and around Washington and wherever the president goes.

>> Pitchford hopes these impressive accolades will resonate with locals.

The park draws thousands of guests a year who admire the aircraft and read the anecdotes of the pilots who flew them.

So interesting.

>> They're so moving some time.

We've had Vietnam era veterans to walk up to the Huey.

And crying their eyes out.

>> It is emotional, especially on hollow days like today, the 4th of July celebrating American pride and patriotism.

All of these aircraft come from that same idea.

Nobody's going to tell us what to do.

Because we have the might.

>> To chart our own course.

It's a dream come true.

So we have a lot to be thankful for, but we think we've turned this dream and this idea into a true community asset.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you so much, Laura Aviation Heritage Park is open during daylight hours and admission is free.

A new museum opened at the park in September of last year.

Bowling Green is making sure those who served are remembered in another way with the opening of a nursing facility just for veterans.

State lawmakers and community leaders gathered at the Kentucky transport in Bowling Green for a progress report back in May.

At the time the building was about 60% complete.

We'll have 60 beds and serve veterans and 17 surrounding counties.

Bowling Green was chosen for the 50 Million Dollar Project over a site in eastern Kentucky.

>> We KET as legislators that it needed to be here because of our proximity to Fort Knox and Fort Campbell in the growth in our region.

The number of veterans here.

But they went through the process of almost doing a certificate of made for health care to prove that need here in our community and in our region.

And that was what really pushed us over the because the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs had the request from both places and they had to show Bowling Green is where this facility needed today.

And it certainly did show that it's going to be a beautiful facility.

It's a community living concept facility, which means that each veteran will have their own sweet private suite living area and then access to the to the common areas as well.

But it will be a very private setting for our veterans.

It's going to be very, very nice.

>> Veterans can apply for entrance through the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.

The facility is expected to open early next year.

There is perhaps no greater symbol of our country's patriotism than the American flag.

And for more than 75 years, one Kentucky family has been sewing and selling the symbols of the USA.

>> Well, we're all service tight company where we provide promotional items.

Flags.

>> American flags, custom and border you shirts, custom printed T-shirts just about everything you could put a logo.

And we actually do.

It.

Started back 1945.

When my grandfather had gotten back from serving more to the was impressed with and how the country was.

Behind the service members.

And, you know, being that they had won the war.

And so he Ashley started the company from there.

So now it's still in the family, obviously on the 3rd generation, the flag.

Has a lot of history.

We've been around for a long time.

>> Go to doctor's appointments in the U.S. what your occupation is.

Always right.

Queen of the sewing room, Iran are in for the machines.

So flags I repair flags.

So banners that we Pret for battle banners, Ohcleof banners that we print for all kinds of companies and schools and organizations.

But I would say my main job is running the import.

The machines.

Enjoy the fact that people will take care of their flags, have them repaired purchase new ones when they need to and KET them flying.

There is kind of a respectful thing that >> the flight gets to tattered obviously than needs be taken out of service and put a new one up.

Just just look pretty good.

If its tattered faded, people should kind of be more aware of the winds and storms and take the flag down.

But if they do and they will eventually start to Tatar, then provides a service where we we'll take flying in.

We cut off the tattered in.

Then we sew it back together so it could doesn't.

Rip is easily once it's been some back, but they're cut becomes a point where the flag is none too short.

Sofa stripes are shorter than the bluefield.

Just doesn't look.

So then there's a point.

And it does get Sunday image.

Did they get faded so that I take him out of service and they did big flag burning ceremony.

So you should probably disposal.

Shouldn't throw them away in the trash this respect.

>> What else is there to really represent the USA other than the U.S. a flight?

You know what that is?

You know what that means and it's important to people.

I think a lot of people to have their American fikes the promotional side of of oats important.

But the flag part of it, the installation of flagpoles, you know, the changing of of flags for companies that, you know, we go out and in repair and and change out their flags repair their flag poles.

That is is most important.

You know, the rest of the items, the printing and the selling in the in border and all that.

It doesn't mean what flags mean.

What the U.S. flag means to oats like.

>> It's not a 4th of July celebration, of course, without fireworks.

And for one Henry County store, that means business is booming right now as you'll see, the store's owner has a real love of fireworks and it's a passion.

He's ignited in his own family as well.

>> My dad didn't have any sons.

it was me and my 2 little sisters and he let us be as well as we wanted to be.

And we got into everything.

And so if it was, if it would boom, if it was dangerous, if it was a daredevil thing, he he was encouraging it if he won the one start, Netanyahu.

>> It may be unique in that.

You know me, my daughter, 3 other daughters, my grandchildren, all work here and now their for their buddies and the school, our neighbors behind us also.

You know, come and be part of it or even work with me on the show started out, not in the business.

Started out shooting in the backyard with her and her sisters and and when it became legal in 2010.

So far worse here.

Shana decided.

Let's see if we can.

Make a little money off of what we like.

And so we open a tent in LaGrange and in 2012.

And did that for.

5 years.

We did it for another company.

The first 2 years and decided they didn't like that business model.

We really like to have our own control.

Cited by our own stuff.

Go to the trade shows on our own good.

All the demos on our own and handpick everything.

The vast majority is what you see here as all consumer, hundreds 100's of consumer options to be able to do on a very small level.

What they see somebody else doing the professional.

There's novelties.

That big boxes and midsize boxes that you have a clock cuts smoke.

We have an entire wall of smoke behind me.

>> Sparklers, the lanes like the Chinese lanterns.

Chinese lanterns, assortments.

>> With everything you and them.

>> People who love fireworks.

Love it because it it's different.

It's.

It's visually pleasing.

I think there's like a an aspect of that.

Maybe just deep down sand instinctual thing worse like man created fire and now we can control it.

We want to make sure everybody is safe and they're doing it.

But they're able to do like the creativity like they're able to take these, you know that a $400 worth of stuff and put together this whole show and put music to it and and this it's a type of art.

It's a it's a type A like.

Choreography with with these power techniques in.

I think with fireworks.

That's the one place where it's sailing regardless of the age.

Everybody got to participate are ready to watch or help our biggest sell period is going to be.

Usually it is obviously 4th of July, the 4th of July, the very first 4th of July.

They had fireworks, but that we have been using fireworks.

Longer.

Fire submitting use longer.

America's been a country to celebrate with.

And you can look at other countries and see that all around the world.

It's all about celebrations.

And this is.

>> Why the next commission put on in celebration.

>> During the store's offseason, the barber family says their biggest customers are photographers and farmers.

Farmers use rockets to scare off unwanted animals on their property.

And photographers use their smokes for senior photos and other special events.

Well, that I do it for us tonight.

Hope to see you right back here again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky.

Addition really inform connect and inspire.

Thanks so much for watching.

Hope you had a great day.

>> We'll see you tomorrow night taking.

♪ ♪