Topic: Holidays
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." (Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence, courtesy of www.thedeclarationofindependence.org.)
Last year was the first time since the year 2000 that I'd been in the U.S. on the 4th of July. (The above photo of Ryan was taken at my friends' parents' 4th of July BBQ last year. What a difference a year makes!) This year finds us in the very place we declared independence from! (It's not the first time, though. In 2004, I was in London on the 4th, with my friends Heather and Sabrina. The Hard Rock Cafe there was giving free bottles of Sam Adams to American passport holders!) It was kind of funny the other day, John the Builder (the man who does a lot of the maintenance on our house) called me to let me know the plumber would be here on July 24th. He said the plumber could be here on the 4th but, "I imagine you're going to be busy!" We both had a laugh at that! All water under the bridge now, I suppose!
When we lived on post in Germany, the post always had a really good Independence Day celebration. There was of course the BBQ and games, etc., during the day. At night there would be a lot of pomp and circumstance, with the 1st ID Band (Leighton Barracks was 1st ID HQ, after all), and lots of firing of cannons, followed by a really good fireworks show. Very impressive. (Most of the time it wouldn't take place on the actual 4th, since it rarely fell on a weekend and most of the time people used the four day weekend to travel.) Menwith Hill Station had a small carnival and games, etc., along with fireworks, but as far as I know, nothing on the scale Leighton did.
In some ways, when you are an American military family living overseas, every day is an independence day. Living in a foreign country (even an English speaking one) and having a family member who is in the military (and a war veteran) makes you conscious of being an American in a way that you just normally wouldn't be back in the U.S.
Today we aren't outwardly doing much to celebrate - a simple BBQ - but the meaning of this day is clearly in our hearts and thoughts, and being American is something to be grateful for and celebrate every single day.
Today I've been thinking about how I've celebrated the 4th throughout my life. I loved the celebrations we had when I was a kid. We'd spend all day swimming at my grandma Audrey's house, then at night the party would move to my parents' house. There would be food and homemade ice cream and music and more swimming. The best was the fireworks we'd set off in the driveway and the street. We'd buy tons of fireworks from local stands, and it would take at least a couple of hours to go through them all. Afterwards, the adults would carry on and the kids would fall asleep on blankets on the living room floor watching a movie. I loved having a house filled with people and merriment.
No matter where you are or what you're doing today, be sure to give a thought to the meaning behind the holiday, and be sure to celebrate!