I never tire of unraveling the stars and strips on a day like today. I am reminded that I can sleep in my bed safely because I have people round the clock protecting me. I think of the diversity of culture: while my family will barbeques chicken another family may be making tamales, and another okra or ribs. I can enjoy my culture within a culture and welcome the beliefs and mores of my neighbor. I smile because we are celebrating becoming a country on this day…
“… Hot Dogs get your hot dogs”
Yes today is a day to celebrate freedom and like so many other american past times baseball is where I love to enjoy family time, food and the fourth of July. My team is the world champions for 2010 The San Francisco Giants.
“Play Ball!!!”
“… Sizzle, Crack, pop, whiz, B A N G”
“Honey be sure to hold those sparklers away from your body.
Dear that bottle rocket is going to… Yes that’s right. Hit the neighbor’s car.”
Sprays of blues, reds, silver green mingle to become breathtaking noise and light.
These were the times that I enjoyed as my children covered their ears
and danced with delight.
“… Attention”
I am reminded when I heard the order that I had a duty.
It was an honor to serve my country,
my people with the hope of peace.
I waved at my fellow aviators as they flew by me going mach speeds
I am proud to be free to celebrate on a day
like the 4th of July.
I am reminded that there is a price for peace
-sometimes a rather high one
I pray that there will be no more need for men and women to die
in war.
I wish each of you a Happy Forth of July for the many reasons –
Family, food, celebration, freedom.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71217725@N00/181272593/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirkkohler/3864380924/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaojikazu/27902057/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizfunk/3779249590/
penned in moon dust 
like you, i wish that there would be no more need for anyone to give their life protecting our freedom. as much as i am against wars, i support our service men and women wherever they are in this world 1000%. thank you for such a moving post. we tend to forget sometimes how precious our freedom really is. *hugs* and a happy fourth of July to you! ♥
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I too wish that war wouldn’t ever be in the equation of liberty…but alas freedom is never free. Thanks for the rundown on your activities past. I smiled at the bottle rocket thing….I sent one whizzing past my mom’s car as she pulled into the driveway some 40 years ago….luckily she didn’t she it…if she had I would still be seeing stars and wearing stripes!
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at the border triangle where i live we are privileged to celebrate three “independence” days – the day of german unity on the 3rd of october, quatorze juillet/storm on the bastille day in france and the 1st of august in switzerland – the date of the Rüttli vow when switzerland was founded in 1291
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Thank you for remembering Freedom’s price while celebrating Freedom’s joys. Thank you for your Service to our country. Is it PC for me to wear a Orioles cap and Giants jacket to a Nats game?
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you managed to capture the family atmosphere and yet relay the message of independence day really well …lovely read thank you
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Amen!
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Thanks for linking Leslie. Great 4th images!! Thanks for serving, and thanks for getting this post up! Have a happy holiday!!!
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welcome – hard working lady
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A lot of people sacrificed much so we could enjoy our hotdogs and baseball and fireworks. But that was kind of the point, wasn’t it? Good poem, Leslie.
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Thank you for your service to our country and for sharing your amazing perspectives with us. =)
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MDW….
Perfectly stated Young Lady!!
Thank You
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well said moon…there is a price paid for the freedoms we have…hope you have a great 4th.
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