Maybe it's my age, but the holiday has lost some meaning for me. I think, yesterday, when I posted that foto of the bridge in China, on the news last night, their high speed rail travel system, their size, their wealth, I am just not sure we are the same country we used to be. Perhaps not Number One anymore, but we just don't want to admit it.
Our jobs are gone, unemployment is high, many are living on the street, homeless, hungry. Our country gives away billions to other countries, yet we have no money. I have to wonder what out "founding Fathers" would think if they visited this country today.
I remember years ago, a high school teacher made this comment in class, "An American never visits a foreign country." Arrogant and proud, but that is diminishing.
Like many of our "holidays" have degenerated to, it is just a day to "celebrate" shoot off fireworks, have picnics and parties, and never consider the "reason" for the holiday. Just think what has been accomplished since then, yet, we are no longer the leaders or the originators of that progress. We can take credit for some, but we are now being outdistanced by other nations. We just don't like to admit it. We don't even own much of our country anymore.
If we were not supplied many products by other countries, we would have nothing to celebrate the day with. Check your fireworks, your food, your clothes, maybe your car, all made overseas, somewhere.
Many years ago, my Dad made a small, about an 8" barrel, cannon, he made it out of brass, turned it on his metal lathe. Made some strapping with his forge, used my erector set wheels on it. I remember vividly, throughout the 1940's, he would announce the Fourth of July, early in the morning, and throughout the day, by firing his cannon, and it was a BIG boom. The neighbors loved it.
Another great memory, Northern Michigan, Burt Lake, in one of Pauline Everhard's cabin rentals, my Dad, lounging in front of the cabin, looking out over the lake, the Jessiedean tied up at the dock, a boat he made, quiet serene setting, and then, out of nowhere, my Brother Bud would somehow sneak up, light a big firecracker, and have it go off, directly behind his canvas lounge chair. You no idea how fast he reacted, until that moment.
Wonder how many more years we will be able to celebrate this Holiday?
