\u200e”You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” ~Erma Bombeck
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Today is American Independence Day aka the 4th of July. I think just about everyone has traditions for this day here in the USA. Ours is to watch 1776 and grill something. Fireworks have been going off at various towns around us since Friday but tonight is the big night for fireworks and Sousa Marches. <\/p>\n
I am doggone proud of my country. Yeah, I know it is not perfect and the political system is fodder for late night comedians but it is my country and, for the most part, it works. And it works against the odds. We allow people to speak their minds without the fear of being locked up. We do allow for each citizen to have the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This country gives everyone a chance to make it by their own bootstraps.<\/p>\n
Today there will be a parade in town. I have already seen people walking to the ferry from the first train to come in and others going to the city today on the first train to go out. There will be baseball and fireworks and watermelon. <\/p>\n
Today I celebrate because my parents were given opportunity here that they would have never had in the countries of their parents\u2019 birth. I celebrate because America allowed my parents to meet and marry so I could be here. I celebrate because I have had opportunities I would not have in any other country. I celebrate the United States of America which is not an old country but has done a lot in its short time in existence.<\/p>\n
So have some fun and some good food. Be care if you are using fireworks today and have a good holiday.<\/p>\n
I am very grateful that my country exists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u200e”You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t