Independence Day. Fourth of July.
Barbeques. Firework shows. Picnics. Family trips. Day on the lake.
It is disheartening to see the commercialism come to play on this holiday. It is as infuriating, to me, as the commercialism on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day.
Please, enjoy your brisket, hot dogs, cold beer, and fireworks. There's someone dying in Afghanistan for this country while you do so. Please gripe more about some of the traffic jams, there's hardworking Americans bringing what you need in there too, paid by the mile, with no way of being home for the holidays.
You see, soldiers don't get days off. They can't be in the middle of a fire fight and say, "I want to do fireworks tonight, so I'm going to quit shooting." First of all, that mentality will get them killed in a fire fight. Secondly, celebrations allow enemies to see you. Few will show gratitude for them on the holiday.
Truckers can't go, "We all need the holidays off, so I'll shut down for the entire weekend." If all of them do, by the end of the holiday weekend, the stores will start getting bare. So, they truck on, bringing what you need to you without gratitude. (I know, I'm typing this from a moving truck.)
Here's an idea (if I could force those not on the road to do it, I would!!!). Go to a cemetery with little flags, find the graves of soldiers, and pay them their respects. Teach your children what Independence Day is all about, and how they have their freedoms. Make them learn to respect and be appreciative of that fact. If you live near a military base, thank those soldiers (shake their hand, hugs might make strangers think you need psychiatric help) for your freedoms and their service. See what your local VFW and American Legion has planned for Independence Day, and join their festivities. Then, you can thank the veterans and current enlisted, and celebrate with them.
When you see a trucker, have your kids make the horn sound. Even if it's a weak horn, they'll honk and smile, maybe even wave. The looks on your children's faces makes our day better.
I, for one, would like to thank every veteran and current enlisted that may read this for their service. I miss the days when my dad was the VFW Commander, for we would do dedications and put flags out at the cemeteries every holiday. It gave me a feeling of service to ensure the memory of these men were remembered. They deserve it. They fought for it. Some died for it.
I would also like to say thank you to the road warriors who will be out here for yet again another holiday like us. It's you that moves America, and it's you that is away from your family and friends for a good percentile of holidays.
ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL.
Barbeques. Firework shows. Picnics. Family trips. Day on the lake.
It is disheartening to see the commercialism come to play on this holiday. It is as infuriating, to me, as the commercialism on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day.
Please, enjoy your brisket, hot dogs, cold beer, and fireworks. There's someone dying in Afghanistan for this country while you do so. Please gripe more about some of the traffic jams, there's hardworking Americans bringing what you need in there too, paid by the mile, with no way of being home for the holidays.
You see, soldiers don't get days off. They can't be in the middle of a fire fight and say, "I want to do fireworks tonight, so I'm going to quit shooting." First of all, that mentality will get them killed in a fire fight. Secondly, celebrations allow enemies to see you. Few will show gratitude for them on the holiday.
Truckers can't go, "We all need the holidays off, so I'll shut down for the entire weekend." If all of them do, by the end of the holiday weekend, the stores will start getting bare. So, they truck on, bringing what you need to you without gratitude. (I know, I'm typing this from a moving truck.)
Here's an idea (if I could force those not on the road to do it, I would!!!). Go to a cemetery with little flags, find the graves of soldiers, and pay them their respects. Teach your children what Independence Day is all about, and how they have their freedoms. Make them learn to respect and be appreciative of that fact. If you live near a military base, thank those soldiers (shake their hand, hugs might make strangers think you need psychiatric help) for your freedoms and their service. See what your local VFW and American Legion has planned for Independence Day, and join their festivities. Then, you can thank the veterans and current enlisted, and celebrate with them.
When you see a trucker, have your kids make the horn sound. Even if it's a weak horn, they'll honk and smile, maybe even wave. The looks on your children's faces makes our day better.
I, for one, would like to thank every veteran and current enlisted that may read this for their service. I miss the days when my dad was the VFW Commander, for we would do dedications and put flags out at the cemeteries every holiday. It gave me a feeling of service to ensure the memory of these men were remembered. They deserve it. They fought for it. Some died for it.
I would also like to say thank you to the road warriors who will be out here for yet again another holiday like us. It's you that moves America, and it's you that is away from your family and friends for a good percentile of holidays.
ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL.
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