I have pictures from yesterday on the boat (not many as we were way too busy to take pictures!). And we watched the fireworks fire off the barge. And I cried like I do every year. I still remember my first 4th of July as an adult. I was serving KP duty in basic training. Which means, to sum it up, I stuffed my face with cereal and ice cream that were normally off limits and was sick as sick could be I finally could go to bed. Not exactly the moment you were looking for as far as touching. But the next one. The next one was after September 11th, 2001. Like many 4th of July’s before I cried. I cried because I knew that this day wasn’t just about fireworks, or bbq, or wearing patriotic clothing. I thought about the people I’d met, and the family I have that served. That spent holidays away and important events apart from the family they loved. When it comes down to it, the saying is more correct than most people realize. Freedom isn’t free.
The song “God Bless the USA” will always make me cry. No matter how many times I’ve heard it. No matter how over played some people feel the song is. When he sings “And I’ll gladly stand up….” the tears start falling. Picturing a mass of people standing up at that moment. In uniform. Even typing it now it brings in a flood of emotion.
I really only hope that other people take today and take a moment and think. I’m not saying to thank a soldier, or say the Pledge of Allegince (Which I think are two good things to do). But think. Think about today. Think about what was done so we wouldn’t live under the rule of European Royalty. What was done to protect innocent people years ago, and what is done today.
I hear people say “I could never do that” when it comes to joining the military. But to me, it’s said in a voice of judgement. Instead of gratitude for those that give. I am not asking for praise, my husband doesn’t ask for praise. But I think that every citizen should take a moment and think about what is done every day. Agree with the war or not, there are a mass of men and women that will go and do what they are told and when so that you don’t have to. So that you aren’t drafted. So that your brother, uncle, son, cousin, nephew or neighbor isn’t drafted. Today’s war may not be one you agree with, but yesterdays was. And the next one very well could be. So take today, and pause. Think about what is done. Take in the words of the songs played during your firecracker show tonight. And think. Think about it all, the bigger picture, the smaller picture. Just don’t get so caught up all of the glitz of the day and forget the why. Because the why is big, and major and huge. It’s too big to be looked over for a cheese burger with lettuce and tomato.
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My husband claims to hate that song but it’s really just because he cries every time he hears it too, thanks to boot camp. Thank you to you and your husband for your service and Happy Independence Day!!
Amen!!! Happy 4th
Happy 4th.
Happy Independence Day! I have always liked that song, and we have a country bar in town where I live that plays it every night at Midnight and says thanks to the troops. It has always been a little emotional, but this year my best friend of 15 years enlisted. The first night after that when we heard it together, our entire table was a sobbing mess. It is a great song, and a great reminder about how amazing our people in uniform really are.