Happy and safe 4th

[Craig O.]

[Rob M.]

Re: Happy and safe 4th

Me just being curious (as a European), what is so happy about the fourth of July. What does a typical American do on that day, how is this celebrated in general?

regards,
Rob (NL)

[Gary C.]

Re: Happy and safe 4th

Rob, it's the United States official birthday celebration of declaration of independence from the British in 1776. Americans celebrate with cook outs, family gatherings, park festivals and last but not least large firework displays at twilight. On the east coast where the Revolutionary War was fought they are all kinds of reinactments and other activities at some of the famous locations such as Bunker Hill, etc. There are two organizations which are derived from descendants of the Revolutionary War; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Am proud to say that I am a member of the SAR as am descended from a family of patriots by the name Mickley. In other words, it's a big deal every summer in the USA to celebrate the 4th. Oddly enough when I worked in Britain they celebrated July 4th as well. Happy and safe 4th to all and special thanks for those that serve and honor our great country. Gary....

[Jeremy D.]

Re: Happy and safe 4th

I know for me, it's a special day, even more so than some other holidays. We have men & women who are living like crap, in some friggin' desert overseas, that haven't been home to see their children grow up, fighting and dying to keep our country free and help the lives of others....just like our ancestors did back in the '70's (meaning 1770's) To me the Fourth Of July means our forefathers got the balls to bust loose from the English tyrrany and start our own country with our own ideals....and for me, I think of folks like my grandfather & step-grandfather, both WWII veterans, who fortunately made it back from kicking butt to save our freedom. I think of friends I have who are still in places they can't talk about, but it's NOT in their back yards barbecuing with their families & friends, having fun and getting drunk. They're on patrol, getting shot at and having grenades tossed at them so we can be out in our safe driveways polishing our Corvettes
I guess most people have parties and get together with friends & family and hopefully try to remember that the worst problems we have is overpriced gas for our Corvettes and the real estate market sucks. We could be living under Communist rule....**** rule....Idiots rule..who knows. I know the French would be speaking German if we hadn't saved their butts. America has it's problems...but I'd rather be here than anywhere else. I try to really think of our troops, those fighting now and those who fought for hundreds of years before them for the same cause; FREEDOM.
Craig, that picture of our troops holding the Corvette banner in front of our flag brought a serious tear to my eye. That is simply badass....and there is NOTHING more American than that! I wish everyone a happy & SAFE 4th of July......KEEP THE RUBBER SIDES DOWN!!!

[Stanley H.]

Re: Happy and safe 4th

"Semper Fi " USMC 1966/1969 RVN 67