I love the 4th of July and I love fireworks! They seem almost magical. But what they are representing was anything but magical! Do you recall our national anthem? It begins like this:
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Francis Scott Key wrote these lyrics and was inspired by our flag flying high during a battle in 1814 with the British at Fort McHenry. I imagine the rockets looked a lot like fireworks!
So as we gather for celebrations on July 4th, lets remember those brave soldiers of long ago who fought for our freedom. Let us honor all the soldiers over the years who have fought for our freedom. I believe we take a lot for granted in these United States because we do have so much freedom. Literally others are risking their lives to come here and have access to our freedoms. Sure we fight and disagree on how things should be done, but by and large we have the freedom to live how we want and pursue what we want. We embrace our freedom! All thanks to those who have and are defending our freedom!
So celebrate America! We are free!
May your path always find you recognizing your freedom and honoring those who provide it to you!