July 4, 2008, - 9:47 am
Great 4th of July Memories: How Do You Spend Independence Day?
By Debbie Schlussel
My three favorite Independence Days experiences were spent this way:
* Spending time with my late father, as he grilled steaks or cooked hot dogs or hamburgers, with all of the fixins’ including our favorite condiment, Plochman’s Kosciusko Spicy Brown Mustard (there’s nothing like it).
* Spending time with a good friend on the friend’s boat in the middle of the water on a beautiful, sunny Fourth of July. It was only for a few hours, but there is no freer, more independent place than to be out on the middle of the water with nothing blocking your view of the beautiful day. Being free do do that in America is one of the simple joys of living here. And the company was not bad, either. You can’t beat the freedom of movement and freedom of association that we have in our great country.
* As a summer intern in Washington, then-White House intern (and later Bush White House employee) Peter Wehner and some other White House interns I met invited me to watch the fireworks from the South Lawn of the White House. There is no greater place to watch them, since it’s less crowded and the fireworks on the Washington Mall are done so the President can see them well from the White House.
How do you spend the Independence Day holiday? What are some of your favorite memories celebrating America and enjoying the day?
There’s no ‘sleeping in’ on a ranch, but … we’re patriotic as all heck. Streamers, banners, flags. Got a big picnic organized for the family and ranch hands. Some of us are sorta capable on stringed instruments so we’ll do some caterwauling later tonight. Maybe even roll out some speakers and play some John Philip Sousa on the stereo. But honest to pete, most of the day will absolutely be spent Thanking GD for the United States of America which, without His Blessing and Will we would not be a nation. We’ll attend the parade in our nearby town about noon, and we’ll get teary eyed and choked up remembering all the men and women who, for at least 250 years paid with their lives and limbs and families and fortunes that freedom not perish. Freedom ain’t free until we’re on the other side of the Jordan, and until then vigilance in mind, body and spirit, vigilance in character and vigilance in strong moral beliefs is our strength. GD Bless America. GD Bless all who’ve paid that last full measure, and especially my GD Bless the loved ones and families who paid more dearly than even those who’ve gone ahead.
Now, to check on the briskets and ribs out back in the smoker.
Ya’ll have a Happy.
Johnny Yuma on July 4, 2008 at 11:23 am