4th of July

What a difference a year makes! Pandemic changes everything. This is one 4^th of July that will go into our memories and history books.


No parade? No large picnics? Community festivals and celebrations?


Sure, the fireworks will remain part of our annual celebration, but even those will be spread out so more of us can see them. No large gatherings to keep the firework displays focused.


So, if we celebrate the holiday differently this year, is there something we can do that marks that difference? Can we get something out of this that matters?


I think yes. I think we need to think about why we have this holiday in the first place.

Independence of our nation from Britain. That’s what we are celebrating. That is the historical fact. We took this brave stand against a world power over the cause of liberty and freedom for ourselves rather than the power of a distant king and parliament that did not serve our best interests. We were a money machine for England. Our lives in the New World were already a struggle; adding financial misery to the mix was intolerable. So we arose and chose our own path.


Years later the US Constitution was finally drafted for approval. But it couldn’t have existed if the declaration of independence was not loudly stated and followed by action. It was and the rest of America’s founding is written in the history books.


Independence comes with more than expectations, however. It comes with commitment to ideals, for all of us, not some of us, and authority and accountability. None of these stands alone. Together we become a union of people, a union of states, and a nation.


Let us remember that as we enter a long weekend recognizing our nation’s origins and values. We are a nation of many so we can be one. It doesn’t work if we are separated into classes, ethnicities, ideologies and any other distinction. We must remain true to our roots.


Our origins flow from nations around the globe. It is one of our strengths. Diversity has enriched our society in so many ways we have lost count. Still we value those differences. Rich or poor; talented or not, bright or dim, straight or gay, man or woman, or boy or girl, we are all the same in the human race.


That’s what we celebrate this day. Not parades. Not picnics. Not the flag or fireworks. We celebrate diversity acting as a unified nation both at home and in global affairs.


Feel the oneness. Rejoice in our American ideal. Then work to keep it whole.


July 3, 2020