It's that time of year again: everywhere you look, you see "Fourth of July!" There are ads for sales, notices that certain businesses will be closed, ideas for holidays recipes. Yeah, so what?
Every country in the world has a fourth of July, but only in America is July 4th Independence Day. I'll bet a large percentage of kids in this country don't have a clue as to what the holiday is really about, apart from shooting off fireworks and having cookouts.
Twenty-five thousand Revolutionary soldiers didn't die for fireworks and hot dogs...they died so that we might be free from a tyrannical government. To ignore what this holiday is really about is to dishonor the memory of those brave men who gave their lives for our country, as well as the many others who gave up all that they owned in the pursuit of liberty.
Today patriotism is often considered a dirty word, but maybe it's time we once again realize just who we are and where we came from, and proudly and gladly acknowledge their sacrifice.
So...Happy Independence Day, everyone...and God bless America.
Arlene Michelle
East Ridge