One of the most vivid memories of my childhood is the celebration of Independence Day. Of course it included a parade. Many years we were participants, waking up early to decorate our bikes with red, white, and blue crepe paper. We would weave it through the spokes and wrap it around the tubes and handle bars. We would make streamers to hang from the hand grips and back of the seat. There were no prizes, but it was a competition none the less. We all wanted to have the best decorated bike in the parade.

The times we didn’t ride in the parade we sat and watched. Bands, floats, fire trucks, and convertibles full of beauty queens and local politicians. And flags.

Most of the units had a flag leading the way. As they passed by we would stand. Always. I don’t remember mom or dad telling us to stand. I believe I learned by just watching. My folks weren’t unique, everyone got out of their lawn chair or off the curb when “Old Glory” made it’s way past their location.

The morning parade was followed by the afternoon picnic. It was a rotating affair hosted by my parents and a group of their friends. One picnic really stands out. My parents were hosting and our neighbor was mowing his yard before they came over. A few guests had already arrived and were hanging around in the back yard talking when the mower next door stopped. Mr. Trimble (the neighbor) had run over a ground wasp nest. The disturbed wasps flew up the leg of his shorts and started to do what mad wasps do. Aware of the guests next door, but not caring about their presence, he quickly dropped trou before running into his house. He was topic number one among the adults when he gingerly showed up later.

While many of the images of Independence Day were the outward trappings of patriotism, there was an underlying sense of pride which is, I believe, at the core of true patriotism.

I hope that you and yours are having a great 4th. More than that I hope you feel the pride of being a part of the greatest country on earth. In the midst of all the politics it’s good to remember that our system of government is like none other in the history of the world. We don’t have to excuse our shortcomings, we have the means and the will to overcome them. We don’t have to shy away from our success, we embrace that success and offer it as a model to people everywhere. We don’t have to hide our patriotism, we should show it on every occasion and embrace it.

Happy 4th of July!