Real Heroes Wear Dog Tags: Remember Why We Celebrate
If we didn’t have our troops, there wouldn’t be a Fourth of July! When we think of the holiday, we tend to neglect the core reason for the celebration. Why do we raise our flags high and salute our proud nation?
The Fourth of July is an annual reminder of the day our founding fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring once and for all, independence from Great Britain. Since then, millions of American men and women have trained and fought for keeping our liberty safe and intact. Today, Crossroads wants to remind you of some reasons why we should take a moment from the festivities to thank our Veterans and troops and be proud to be an American!
For over 230 years, active servicemembers and Veterans have defended our freedom to celebrate the Fourth of July with things like:
Picnics and Food
Every year on the Fourth, we have the privilege to break out our taste buds and share our grilling and baking skills. We’re able to do this knowing that we’re protected by our active troops. Whichever picnic-goer type you are, you can relax, loosen up those pants and eat eat eat!
The Beach
Wake up and grab your flip-flops, we are going to the beach! If you decide to enjoy the shoreline this Fourth, make sure you bring your family and friends along with your best stars and stripes! Lie down and soak up the sun in that red, white and blue swimsuit or beach outfit. Enjoy the day while representing your gratitude for freedom and the troops who defend that freedom.
The Freedom to Gather
The First Amendment allows us to assemble in groups with peaceable intentions. Whether it be a blow out pool party or a small backyard get-together, take this day as time to spend with your loved ones and be thankful for the democracy we have. Be thankful that we are able to gather together and enjoy this day as a country. As you enjoy this day off from work, don’t forget the sacrifices that were made by our Veterans to protect our rights and virtues. Each soldier has sacrificed in battle and their family has sacrificed with the absence of their loved for us to have our freedom.
What a spectacle! Each year, we gather in hundreds, thousands, even millions to witness the colorful displays of rockets and explosions painted in the sky. They are even accompanied by patriotic music from celebrities and orchestras or even more recently, Katy Perry’s hit song Firework has become a new Fourth of July favorite. We use fireworks to show our pride and happiness for our freedom. It’s our own salute to everyone who has given their time, efforts and lives for our freedom.
Freedom to Celebrate
John Adams wrote to his wife: “The day will be most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
We thank our Veterans and current troops for their unbelievable efforts in protecting and fighting for our freedom. Enjoy your Fourth of July with flags, sparklers, family, food, parties and whatever brings out your inner American.
Remember: Veterans fought for more than a party; they fought for our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!
