When Independence Day Becomes Personal

Word Count: 716
My Independence Day



This year, celebrating Independence Day has a new and fresh meaning for me – a personal meaning. I have recently discovered my Patriot ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War. I now have a name, and even a picture of his daughter from whom I attach my claim. I know the story of this brave soldier, and, yes, I admit to a shiver of excitement as I have reacquainted myself with the amazing fortitude of our founding citizen/soldiers and families who put themselves on-the-line daily in order to secure our freedoms, which we continue to enjoy even until this 21st Century.
I know for most of my life I have only thought of July 4th as a time for picnics, family gatherings, and homemade ice cream (and I still look forward to my favorite orange/pineapple sherbet cream packed tightly in a hand churned freezer) – but now I can add to my holiday a time of reflection to uplift our precious freedom as only Americans are Blessed to enjoy. I think as I have achieved the status of Baby Boomer, Me Maw, and early retiree, (not an elder, you know, but the new 40) I have the maturity to see, and appreciate the long history of our freedom, and the price paid.
Undoubtly you will read these same sentiments over and over during the week of Independence Day celebrations. I know I have read like-commentaries my entire life, but only, perhaps, reading the words and not the meaning. I should have been more attentive to the pursuits of freedom as I have a long line of soldiers in my family.
In addition to my newly found Revolutionary War g-g-g-g-grandparent, and I know he has been there all of the time, just waiting on me to discover him - I like to think – Yes, in addition I have a Civil War Patriot, World War I and World War II, and, most importantly, my son has served in the Middle East for three tours of duty.
I ask. What has taken me so long?
I may have the answer.
Could I have taken my freedom for granted? As Americans, are we spoiled? The event of 911 was sobering, and that goes without saying, as it allowed us to rethink our sacred ground that actually was attacked by our enemies – Our land of Freedom………
Let Us Shout It…….
FREEDOM IS NOT A GIFT, BUT HAS BEEN BOUGHT WITH THE BLOOD OF OUR PATRIOTS – GOD BLESS AMERICA!
I am reminded of a Children’s Choir, from the Philippines, who visited Meridian several years ago. We enjoyed the sweet voices of the children as they harmonized, and gave a special feeling of a peaceful life, but we soon learned of a different lifestyle as their leader shared the war torn strife of their short lives.. They were orphans – each one losing their parents to years of war and bloodshed - a life of horror and death. Their leader begged, “Please give us your garbage, just give us your garbage, and we could live a much better life.”
Can you imagine? A request for what Americans throw away, pack in landfills, burn, dissimilate, haul to the junkyard, and worst of all, litter, litter, litter…….A request for our overload of luxury so unappreciated that we throw it away……I am as guilty as the next one, but I promise to do better. I hope you will, too.
Oh, I complain about the cost of gas, about the potholes on my well-traveled routes around town, and the state. I have been heard to yakkity-yak about little unimportant trivia’s, as we all have, but I hope, I really hope to make a change for the better – to come face-to-face with our abundant American life, a life as set out by our Founding Fathers, a life of freedom, and the joy of democracy, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As I write this afternoon, my mind is humming many patriot tunes – they are some of my very favorite music of all time. “It’s a Grand Ole Flag” - the Sousa March, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” plus my personal favorite, “Star Spangled Banner.” And how can I forget, “This Land is Your Land” and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
I hope you are humming, too.