The fourth of July was my grandpa’s favorite holiday. He loved a good parade, hot dogs for lunch, grilled chicken for dinner, and fireworks with the neighbors in the cul-de-sac. Above all,this was also the only day I recall him placing a flag next to his front door step.
Grandpa wasn’t terribly patriotic. He was not interested in war or violence. Instead, the flag was his pride for his country. His life changed from growing up on a farm to becoming an airplane mechanic and finally responsible for air traffic control before forced retirement. However, his joy of being a parent, grandparent, and great grandparent carried his spirit forward each year.
The fourth of July, to him, was the spirit of his success – thanks to a nation that allowed him to choose a path independent of someone else telling him what he could and could not do with his life. The celebrations on the fourth were for his life and his family.
This is the true the spirit of the fourth of July; that is, the spirit of independence intertwined with the dependence of people you can trust. The joy of the fireworks is just icing on the cake.