Many of you are aware of my passion for veterans. Without the dedication and service of those who fought in previous wars and conflicts, many of us wouldn’t be here today.
Early last month, the United States and France, among other countries, observed the 80th anniversary of the landing at Normandy.
As I think about the July 4 Holiday today, and the long weekend ahead, I always reflect on my dad, uncles, and others I knew who served in the military during World War II. Next month will mark 36 years since my dad passed away. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t have him in my thoughts.
He was 64 years old when he left us. That’s pretty young in today’s world and was then when he died.
Reflection of July 4 and some of the meaning for me is that we as Americans should always remember the freedoms, liberties, rights and privileges we have today. Those in many other countries should neverforgetthefreedoms they enjoy today are because ofourveteranswho fought in World War II, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.
Of course, there have been other conflicts since WorldWarIIthathaveinvolved the United States, but none on the scale of World War II, though some have lasted much longer.
Many have given their lives in those, too, to help preserve our freedom.
My wife a few years back suggested it was time for us to get a flag pole so we could fly Old Glory. So with the help of a neighbor, we put up a pole and a flag has flown every day since.
Families and friends will gather this weekend for celebrations.
A lot of them involve shooting off fireworks. They’re already shooting them off in our neighborhood, and it’s legal. We’re out of any city limits.
We shot off fireworks recently when we had our grandson Liam here for the weekend.
Our daughter Meghan and son-in-law Terry joined in the fun since Terry has to work on the 4th.
Terry cooked steaks for us on the grill as well.
We enjoyed it. Others may hold picnics, cookouts, go to lakes. There’s plenty of activities to enjoy.
Pat and I have been invited out by some close friends to their place to celebrate sometime that afternoon and evening. We look forward to that, just relaxing, eating and watching others who will be there to shoot off the fireworks.