Independence Day–What July 4th means to me

Eric at Tygrrrr Express* | July 4, 2008

The Tygrrrr Express is in San Diego. Unlike Los Angeles, San Diego has a strong military presence. July 4th is a great day to be in a city that loves our heroes.

The Chicago Cannonball and I will visit the beautiful island of Coronado, with another happy couple. There was a fireworks extravanganza last night in Downtown San Diego, and the four of us will then watch the fireworks tonight in Carlsbad before making it back to the City of Angels.

I know what July 4th means to me. Independence Day is special. Before offering my own wistfulness, I would rather let some of the finest people associated with the finest military in the world offer their heartfelt sentiments. Without these brave heroes, the miracle that began in 1776 would be paler by comparison. Below are their July 4th memories, and what Independence Day means to them.

ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SNUFFY SMITH

A simple answer: I think of what our forefathers sacrificed so that we could be free to work, pray and socialize as we wished. I think of Bosnia, and how I saw many people die for those very same things. I think of Iraq and Afghanistan and the number of people doing the same. We are so very lucky to have what we have yet we seldom seem to understand just what we do have in comparison to the rest of the world.

RETIRED SOLDIER AND CONSERVATIVE BLOGGER SNOOPER

What does the 4th of July mean to me?

It means the Spirit of American Freedom reigns supreme throughout the world and that the vast majority of Americans, when the chips are down, will do whatever it takes to remain free.

It reminds me that when facing odds seemingly stacked against us, we as a nation will always rise to the top.

Currently, I reside in the GREAT Republic of Texas as does my son who has recently returned from the War In Iraq. I am a retired DAV and have served my nation since 1976.

As Francis Scott Key was writing our National Anthem, I can only imagine the sight of which he beheld. Every time I myself returned across The Wire and caught a glimpse of our Flag flying, chills traveled up and down my spine and that experience remains with me to this day. The American Flag represents that which millions of others wish they had. Why else is it that millions try to get to the United States and millions are not trying to leave?

July 4th, to me, represents that which no other country in the world has…True Freedom. And I and millions like me are more than willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life, politics be damned.

COLONEL AL FRACKER

Our family vacation was always spent “up north” in a one-room cabin in the woods on the 4th of July. So, when someone mentions the 4th of July, my very first thought is standing next to a bonfire by Nichols Lake in mid Michigan, the smoky scent of hot dogs tantalizing my nose and irritating my eyes. The words “freedom” and “independence” were thrown around as my Dad and relatives drank beer, ate, and retreated from long days working in a factory or climbing poles for Consumer Power Company, but those words meant little to me, as I was born free.

Ten years later, and the 4th of July meant so much more. I thought of my older brother who was born on July 2nd, the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, and how proud he was at 17 to be a Marine. Some say he died a needless death attacking the city of Hue. Three days after learning of his death, we received a letter from him describing a huge beetle he found that he wanted to add to our insect collection, and as a side note, he said not to worry because he was happy promoting freedom in a different land. Naïve? Maybe so, but poignant nonetheless.

My first official day in the Army was July 2nd, 1972, and following a two day bus trip, I remember vividly the physical pain of push-ups, gorilla stomps, inverted crawls, and grass drills executed on the 4th of July. The utter frustration of being powerless on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse highlighted the paradox, “one must lose freedom to gain freedom”… in other words, much like the song, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”.

Fast forward another 35 years, and I’m part cynic and part optimist. The cynic laments our public’s concept of freedom on this special day and latches onto cautionary excerpts sent from a friend. A Scottish History professor from University of Edinburgh in 1787 cites: “A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by dictatorship.” He describes the cycle as, “from bondage to spiritual faith…from spiritual faith to great courage…from great courage to liberty…from liberty to abundance…from abundance to complacency…from complacency to apathy…from apathy to dependence…from dependence back into bondage”.

The optimist in me suggests this 4th of July will mean the same to me now as it did almost fifty years ago. We’ll build a fire and scrounge up some hot dogs. I’ll remember the coolness of the lake, my Dad’s strong laugh, and Uncle Joe losing his false teeth while water skiing…not once, but two years running. And these innocent memories will be accompanied kindly by a depth of convictions, experience, and reality…convictions of faith and service to my God, family, and country… experience of seeing what the lack of hope and freedom does to people, and the reality that each person can and must make a difference. Being free is a daily commitment, whether home, on the road, or in some foreign country. I didn’t choose to be free – I was born free, and I am committed to die that way. I will be surrounded by Soldiers who wrote a blank check to the American people, a check payable with their lives, who are living JFK’s aged yet appropriate appeal to the public: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. With these men on the 4th of July, I will be hopeful for a free Iraq, and more importantly, a continued freedom within the United States, and we’ll pretend there’s a lake, Uncle Joe’s false teeth, and beer on the other side of the berm.

Al Fracker
COL, IN
16th Iraqi MITT
Team Chief

LANCE CORPORAL JOHN BIVONA

For me, the Fourth of July is not just about sparklers (but man, they’re fun) and corn on the cob (no one can eat just one.). Nor is it about hot dogs, although tofu pops and smart dogs make delicious meat free ones. Please look for them at your local retail food store. I like Whole Foods. It’s my source for all the vegan organic goodness that plumps the 140 pound community of cells I call moi.

Having served as a marine in Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Independence Day takes on an even greater symbolism, as is the case for most U.S. servicemen and women. Pride, honor, tradition, heritage, corn on the cob (Sorry, I guess I am hungry)…The tenacious and bold spirit that was necessary to overcome our old world oppressors is still very much alive today. The fireworks serve as a visual reminder of the beauty in finding independence from those who put unnecessary burdens on us.

The universe rewards bold action coupled with intelligence. We had a plan. We put it into effect. Fast forward 200 years. Wal-Marts and America Idol. It sure beats Little House on the Prairie. Well, not really. Laura Ingalls, you go girl!

My mission this 4^th…my plan…seek and destroy all organic corn on their cobs. Eliminate all kernels from their oppressive cobs. I will provide them independence. Fear not America. Meat free hot dogs eaten with an independent spirit my newly straightened chompers. Oohrah! Hey, where’s the relish? Go vegan. Break your chains. See what lies beyond.

LEE SORENSEN

The 4^th of July always means to me one thing: The Flag.

We all know the history of our founders and their role in building our country. We even know the history of our flag. But when I see our Flag, I stop and give thanks to all the things this country has given me and done for me. It makes me want to give back to America all I can in the spirit of the last line of our Declaration of Independence, “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”.

Most of us can not even begin to imagine the horrors our Military saw in Vietnam, World War 2 or the U.S. Civil War. The only thing I can do is honor those who fought for the people that could not help themselves, is by serving my country in the Military. To a lot of us it makes no matter if the war is in Iraq or Iowa, we just give to our country. Sometimes with our life.

One day in the far future I hope, a Flag will drape my coffin. It will be the proudest day of my life and wish all who see that flag know, it is the same exact flag that draped my father’s coffin as a WW2 vet, and my grandfathers as a WW1 vet. Although I will be there I wish I could see it, but you can bet I will be smiling.

So when you see Our Flag anywhere think of all the people that would defend you with their life, just because you are an American.

Lee S.

Balad, Iraq

As for me, I love the music. From Bruce Springsteen singing about Glory Days to John Mellencamp offering a story about Pink Houses, the music stays with me. John Fogerty reminds us that not everybody is a Fortunate Son.

Lee Greenwood singing God Bless the USA never fails to make me well up with emotion.

Yet July 4th is about America the Beautiful, and nobody sings that better than the late Ray Charles.

“America…I’m talkin’ ’bout America…God done shed grace on thee…”

I would end this by saying God Bless the USA, but based on the last 232 years, he already has.

A happy and peaceful July 4th to you all. May your fireworks shine bright, your flags wave sky high, and your loved ones be close, happy, and safe.

eric

Contributor's website: http://www.tygrrrrexpress.com/

Similar posts:

None Found

*Content posted by a user may not be completely written by that user. Content from another source is cited in either block quotes, with quotes or with a link to the original material. Content from other sites is posted for commentary and news purposes under fair use. Each user is responsible for their own postings and a particular posting should not be construed as being endorsed by this site or it's owner.