The ever-delightful Erma Bombeck says it better than I ever could:
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, 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.
Happy Independence Day!
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It’s funny, I was wondering what was going to appear on here for the 4th July and thought that I’d have to take a down day. Too much jingoism and pride in one’s country and nationality are fuel for demagoguery (if that is actually a word). However, this I like. Any nation that celebrates itself with love and friendship is a nation that all should be proud to be part of.
Happy Independence Day one and all.
I used to have a neighbor from Germany who was alarmed by all the flag-waving and so on that we Americans engage in on July 4. Coming from a country where national pride was once twisted to such terrible ends made him leery of national pride in general. His worries weren’t totally misplaced. There are a lot of people in this country who will buy into any misguided adventure or program, as long as particular people assure them that it’s for the good of the country.
Personally, I was glad to be able to mount a flag on our new house yesterday. I’ve been waiting a long time to have a house on which to mount a flag.
FAB FOURTH TO ALL!! WOO HOO! Always remember where you live, what it stands for. Remember brotherly love, freedom for all? Words to live by no matter where you live.
m.
Happy Independence Day to all my southern neighbors from a PFO follower here in Canada. My wish is that it will be one of your best anniversaries with special graces bestowed upon everyone in the US.
What Erma Bombeck said, Father Paul, certainly made me stop, pause and think how wonderful it is that what she said is true. The same applies to what Simon and Marg said.
May God’s love,power, truth, beauty and goodness fall without measure on all who live in the “…land and of the free and the home of the brave.”
On the wings of a song and a prayer for all of creation in the U. S. A. from a friend in Canada. Peace be with you always.
Ron
Erma Bombeck says it so aptly, as she always does. My daughter and her young man are on holiday in the USA at the moment (in LA at present) so I’m looking forward to hearing their experience of being in the US on its “big day”.
Another thing which I think you can be proud of is that you really have something to celebrate on your national day! In Australia, where I live, our major national day is “Australia Day”, 26th January, which marks the date (in 1788) on which the first official British settlers arrived – to set up a penal colony, of all things! Even worse than that, many Aboriginal people, along with some white people with consciences, are very uncomfortable about celebrating the day then, as of course from the point of view of Aboriginal people it’s really “Invasion Day”! There have been suggestions for celebrating other days instead (such as January 1st 1901, when we officially went from being six colonies to being one federated nation), but nothing has happened so far. The thing is, Jan. 26th is just before the kids go back to school after the summer holidays, so I think most people just enjoy having a holiday then, regardless of what it is for!
Anyway, Happy Independence Day to everyone in the USA (even though it is now July 5th. here!).
Hmm. I have several close Australians and I often ask them how long it will be before the country properly invents itself in its own image. I love the place and the people but cannot understand their reluctance to cut the legal and constitutional ties. I haven’t got a proper answer yet :-/
Thanks for bringing Erma back with her wit which is filled with wisdom. For many years my husband Bob and I had a yard full of people as well as a home open to friends and family on the Fourth of July. We did most of the work while guests visited one another, family enjoyed being together and children filled our pool. It was strange for my daughter and me today without “Bob”, who could stretch a simple picnic into a big feast for the Fourth. The bright light in today’s celebration is that my son went to Boston today to spend a week and breathe in the history af our country. He’ll have his hot dogs at Fenway Park tomorrow!!! (My daughter and I did join my brother’s family for an unusual Fourth of July; but had a delightful afternoon eating ,talking, and remembering the many joyful years we have shared.)
When I miss family and friends on big occassions I try to remember that they are, please God, in a much better place. I’m sure Bob was having a very special hot dog of his own in a very special place yesterday Helen.
God bless
The strength of a nation is in its families.
God bless us all!