We celebrate our nation’s independence on the 4th of July. It is a holiday that has been celebrated every year since 1776. John Adams, one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, wrote to his wife Abigail reflecting upon their work on the Declaration of Independence and his excitement about our country’s independence. In that letter he said,
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
When we lived in New Jersey, our town had a 4th of July parade. I can clearly picture myself, Joe and our very young sons standing with the crowd along the parade route. It was a very typical procession with colorful floats and marching bands in it. I turned to look down the street to see what was coming next and saw a military troop marching toward us. I cannot recall what branch of the military they represented. I don’t know if they were a reserve group or on active duty. They were in their battle dress uniforms, walking in formation down the center of the avenue. By the time they were in front of us there were tears of gratitude rolling down my face. The boys, who were probably not much older than three and five, couldn’t figure out why Mommy was crying. It was probably the first time that TJ got any kind of “up close” look at the military.
Several years later, when we were living in Southern California, we attended summer concerts in the park. The city of Palm Springs would host various musicians or bands in the city park. I don’t know too many families with young children who turn down anything that is free, and we were no exception. We took the boys to several concerts each summer, but the one that we were always sure to attend was the very last one of the season. Each year the Marine band from Twenty-nine Palms came and performed. The band members looked so sharp in their dress blues and the boys, now grade school age, loved to see them and listen to their performance!
Each year the band would close out their program by honoring all of the vets in the crowd. They played the song for each of the branches of the military, moving from one into the next until all of them had been recognized. The veterans were to stand when the song of their particular branch was played. As each group of veterans stood to their feet the crowd cheered and applauded. I can’t even write about this without crying, so you can imagine what I was like sitting among the veterans we were acknowledging. [By now the boys understood why I cried, so at least I didn’t have to explain it all over again each year]. It seems that without fail, every year as we packed up the blankets and lawn chairs and headed for home, the boys talked about the day they were going to be soldiers. For TJ it was just another up-close and personal encounter with the military.
We didn’t always make it to a fireworks display on the 4th of July. So, we began to watch some of the various specials on TV [although admittedly it cannot compare to being there in person!], One of my all-time favorites was the year we watched Disney’s celebration. Lee Greenwood was one of the special guests that year, which would have been in the early nineties. They had him placed in Frontier Land and he sang “I’m Proud to be an American.” By the time the song was finished, not only was I in tears, but I was standing in the middle of the living room singing with him, as best I could through my tears. Thankfully my family fully understands my deep patriotism and didn’t have me locked away for losing my mind. (You can watch one of Lee Greenwood’s early performances of this song here.)
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| A "Self-Portrait" that TJ Created |
Sometimes I think back on these various events when TJ watched his mom unashamedly let her patriotism shine through, and I have to believe it was the planting of the seed in his own heart for his deep love of our country. TJ is deeply proud to be an American and to be serving his country! This year he will be ‘home’ in Montana, serving on base.
I have learned that most military bases will have a fifty gun salute at Noon on the 4th of July. It is called “The Union’s Salute” to recognize each state. TJ has never mentioned this event, but I’m sure he would be extremely proud to be a part of it. To be sure, if I was standing in the crowd, I’d be in tears before the last gun shot.
When John Adams wrote to his wife back in 1776, he was off by two days with his thoughts about when our nation would celebrate her independence. But he was extremely accurate with the fact that we would indeed celebrate, and celebrate in a very big way, each and every year! Happy Independence Day to each of you! And …
God bless America!
