Growing up in Louisa – July 4th
Weekly feature . . . by Mike Coburn
I remember some old codger sitting somewhere down near the courthouse whittling on a stick and spitting tobacco juice. He was mumbling and spouting off with his home-grown wisdom pertaining to the merits of Independence Day. He was a veteran of a war and was proud of it, to be sure. Oh, there was no medal or ribbon hanging from his suitcoat that he was wearing over his bibbed overalls, but he had been in the trenches. He was too old for the recent war, so I figured it had to be World War, but I knew very little about that at this stage in my life. I was getting pretty well versed on WWII, because of movies, and all the recent veterans about, and the conversations of grownups. None-the-less, I viewed the old man as a valued commodity. He was someone who had served this country and had clearly been ‘in harm’s way.’
This mid-summer holiday is a subject that most everyone likes and associates with times for ‘fun,’ ‘family visits,’ or even ‘profits.’ We know on the surface that there are two different ways to view those special days, which are sprinkled all over our calendar. The obvious one is looking forward to taking off work. We put together the detailed plans that will ultimately shape our holiday.
Another perspective is from the merchant’s viewpoint of increased sales and greater profits. Sadly, there’s another viewpoint. You see, some are reminded of negative memories that are connected to particular holidays. This might be about the death of a dear one, or some other traumatic event. Others simply shrug off holidays because they are alone with no one to share the holiday. Regardless of what brought them to this point, whether real or imagined, they are real enough to the sufferer. Our being aware and sensitive to these people should make holidays better for everyone. Holidays aren’t about the individual, but about a reason. Often it is about a great deal more than a mere person. Focusing on the reason behind the holiday is a far better thing to do than to see the bad and make the holiday about you or me. After all, bad things happen to all of us, and sometimes it happens on holidays. I’m thinking that life is too short to deface with sorrow that which should be celebrated.
Next weekend we will experience the date that stands for America in the minds of most of our countrymen. It’s a day in our history to remember because our forefathers put their lives and fortunes at risk to fight tyranny. Tyranny is defined as an ‘abuse of power.’ From the battle that followed, these same forefathers bought us freedom from an oppressive government. That’s worth celebrating.
In the case of July 4th festivities I think we should stand loyal to our flag, nation, and the precepts clearly (I say ‘clearly’) expressed in the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Selling ourselves short on any of these principals is another kind of treason, or if by the government itself, an act of tyranny. From that, freedom and liberty is dissolved.
Knowing this to be true, we as citizens of the greatest nation on earth, must stand for liberty and freedom. We owe that to our children and grandchildren. Ours is an obligation to teach our offspring to respect, stand tall, and love this nation and what it stands for. We adults owe it to vote for those who will uphold those truths rather than those who will destroy them to please the many who would take advantage of these rights. Supporting those who in the name of doing good, give away our heritage is treasonous, even if it is democratic.
When, as a little boy I stood holding my mother’s hand watching the parade as it passed by along Madison, I saw farmers, merchants, mothers, fathers and grandparents standing alongside us, holding their hands over their hearts. This little boy saw watery eyes and proud chests bursting in knowing ‘all was well’ in this great nation. It was well because of the actions taken by many who stood there, and many who no longer could. They served in many different ways, some dying to protect our right to parade and celebrate.
The fourth of July was a time for family to join in a picnic, or a meal at the family home. It was a time of putting streamers on our bicycles and a time to visit Dreamland for a swim. It was a time to have ice cream, or watermelon, and mom’s potato salad. It was a time for sparklers and fire-crackers, for marching music and baseball. It was a time to invite friends to join along, and a time to visit the homebound. I remember these times.
This year, hopefully, we’ll celebrate again. It is a different time, a different place, and different people, but the purpose is the same. Some of the activities are different, too, but the new things also create memories and bond us into the family of Americans. Keep away the ghosts of holidays past and make this a worthy occasion that includes loved ones, neighbors and friends. Make a noise. Light the fuses of the rockets and firecrackers, and get about making new memories. After all, memories are who we are. They are the DNA that explain our lives and gives them a depth of purpose. So please remember the veterans and save the memories as you celebrate.
Wriite me a line and tell me about your experiences and memories.
