The Tygrrrr Express is in San Diego. Unlike Los Angeles, San Diego has a strong military presence. July 4th is a great day to be in a city that loves our heroes.
The Chicago Cannonball and I will visit the beautiful island of Coronado, with another happy couple. There was a fireworks extravanganza last night in Downtown San Diego, and the four of us will then watch the fireworks tonight in Carlsbad before making it back to the City of Angels.
I know what July 4th means to me. Independence Day is special. Before offering my own wistfulness, I would rather let some of the finest people associated with the finest military in the world offer their heartfelt sentiments. Without these brave heroes, the miracle that began in 1776 would be paler by comparison. Below are their July 4th memories, and what Independence Day means to them.
ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SNUFFY SMITH
A simple answer: I think of what our forefathers sacrificed so that we could be free to work, pray and socialize as we wished. I think of Bosnia, and how I saw many people die for those very same things. I think of Iraq and Afghanistan and the number of people doing the same. We are so very lucky to have what we have yet we seldom seem to understand just what we do have in comparison to the rest of the world.
SS
RETIRED SOLDIER AND CONSERVATIVE BLOGGER SNOOPER
What does the 4th of July mean to me?
It means the Spirit of American Freedom reigns supreme throughout the world and that the vast majority of Americans, when the chips are down, will do whatever it takes to remain free.
It reminds me that when facing odds seemingly stacked against us, we as a nation will always rise to the top.
Currently, I reside in the GREAT Republic of Texas as does my son who has recently returned from the War In Iraq. I am a retired DAV and have served my nation since 1976.
As Francis Scott Key was writing our National Anthem, I can only imagine the sight of which he beheld. Every time I myself returned across The Wire and caught a glimpse of our Flag flying, chills traveled up and down my spine and that experience remains with me to this day. The American Flag represents that which millions of others wish they had. Why else is it that millions try to get to the United States and millions are not trying to leave?
July 4th, to me, represents that which no other country in the world has…True Freedom. And I and millions like me are more than willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life, politics be damned.
COLONEL AL FRACKER
Our family vacation was always spent “up north” in a one-room cabin in the woods on the 4th of July. So, when someone mentions the 4th of July, my very first thought is standing next to a bonfire by Nichols Lake in mid Michigan, the smoky scent of hot dogs tantalizing my nose and irritating my eyes. The words “freedom” and “independence” were thrown around as my Dad and relatives drank beer, ate, and retreated from long days working in a factory or climbing poles for Consumer Power Company, but those words meant little to me, as I was born free.
Ten years later, and the 4th of July meant so much more. I thought of my older brother who was born on July 2nd, the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, and how proud he was at 17 to be a Marine. Some say he died a needless death attacking the city of Hue. Three days after learning of his death, we received a letter from him describing a huge beetle he found that he wanted to add to our insect collection, and as a side note, he said not to worry because he was happy promoting freedom in a different land. Naïve? Maybe so, but poignant nonetheless.
My first official day in the Army was July 2nd, 1972, and following a two day bus trip, I remember vividly the physical pain of push-ups, gorilla stomps, inverted crawls, and grass drills executed on the 4th of July. The utter frustration of being powerless on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse highlighted the paradox, “one must lose freedom to gain freedom”… in other words, much like the song, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”.
Fast forward another 35 years, and I’m part cynic and part optimist. The cynic laments our public’s concept of freedom on this special day and latches onto cautionary excerpts sent from a friend. A Scottish History professor from University of Edinburgh in 1787 cites: “A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by dictatorship.” He describes the cycle as, “from bondage to spiritual faith…from spiritual faith to great courage…from great courage to liberty…from liberty to abundance…from abundance to complacency…from complacency to apathy…from apathy to dependence…from dependence back into bondage”.
The optimist in me suggests this 4th of July will mean the same to me now as it did almost fifty years ago. We’ll build a fire and scrounge up some hot dogs. I’ll remember the coolness of the lake, my Dad’s strong laugh, and Uncle Joe losing his false teeth while water skiing…not once, but two years running. And these innocent memories will be accompanied kindly by a depth of convictions, experience, and reality…convictions of faith and service to my God, family, and country… experience of seeing what the lack of hope and freedom does to people, and the reality that each person can and must make a difference. Being free is a daily commitment, whether home, on the road, or in some foreign country. I didn’t choose to be free – I was born free, and I am committed to die that way. I will be surrounded by Soldiers who wrote a blank check to the American people, a check payable with their lives, who are living JFK’s aged yet appropriate appeal to the public: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. With these men on the 4th of July, I will be hopeful for a free Iraq, and more importantly, a continued freedom within the United States, and we’ll pretend there’s a lake, Uncle Joe’s false teeth, and beer on the other side of the berm.
Al Fracker
COL, IN
16th Iraqi MITT
Team Chief
LANCE CORPORAL JOHN BIVONA
For me, the Fourth of July is not just about sparklers (but man, they’re fun) and corn on the cob (no one can eat just one.). Nor is it about hot dogs, although tofu pops and smart dogs make delicious meat free ones. Please look for them at your local retail food store. I like Whole Foods. It’s my source for all the vegan organic goodness that plumps the 140 pound community of cells I call moi.
Having served as a marine in Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Independence Day takes on an even greater symbolism, as is the case for most U.S. servicemen and women. Pride, honor, tradition, heritage, corn on the cob (Sorry, I guess I am hungry)…The tenacious and bold spirit that was necessary to overcome our old world oppressors is still very much alive today. The fireworks serve as a visual reminder of the beauty in finding independence from those who put unnecessary burdens on us.
The universe rewards bold action coupled with intelligence. We had a plan. We put it into effect. Fast forward 200 years. Wal-Marts and America Idol. It sure beats Little House on the Prairie. Well, not really. Laura Ingalls, you go girl!
My mission this 4th…my plan…seek and destroy all organic corn on their cobs. Eliminate all kernels from their oppressive cobs. I will provide them independence. Fear not America. Meat free hot dogs eaten with an independent spirit my newly straightened chompers. Oohrah! Hey, where’s the relish? Go vegan. Break your chains. See what lies beyond.
LEE SORENSEN
The 4th of July always means to me one thing: The Flag.
We all know the history of our founders and their role in building our country. We even know the history of our flag. But when I see our Flag, I stop and give thanks to all the things this country has given me and done for me. It makes me want to give back to America all I can in the spirit of the last line of our Declaration of Independence,
“we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”.
Most of us can not even begin to imagine the horrors our Military saw in Vietnam, World War 2 or the U.S. Civil War. The only thing I can do is honor those who fought for the people that could not help themselves, is by serving my country in the Military. To a lot of us it makes no matter if the war is in Iraq or Iowa, we just give to our country. Sometimes with our life.
One day in the far future I hope, a Flag will drape my coffin. It will be the proudest day of my life and wish all who see that flag know, it is the same exact flag that draped my father’s coffin as a WW2 vet, and my grandfathers as a WW1 vet. Although I will be there I wish I could see it, but you can bet I will be smiling.
So when you see Our Flag anywhere think of all the people that would defend you with their life, just because you are an American.
Lee S.
Balad, Iraq
As for me, I love the music. From Bruce Springsteen singing about Glory Days to John Mellencamp offering a story about Pink Houses, the music stays with me. John Fogerty reminds us that not everybody is a Fortunate Son.
Lee Greenwood singing God Bless the USA never fails to make me well up with emotion.
Yet July 4th is about America the Beautiful, and nobody sings that better than the late Ray Charles.
“America…I’m talkin’ ’bout America…God done shed grace on thee…”
I would end this by saying God Bless the USA, but based on the last 232 years, he already has.
A happy and peaceful July 4th to you all. May your fireworks shine bright, your flags wave sky high, and your loved ones be close, happy, and safe.
eric
For me, July 4th is a whole lot more than just patriotic songs and pieces of cloth with stars and stripes on them. For me, it is the historic day on which we declared independence from Britian, embracing the great political philsophies of the Enlightenment and transforming those lofty ideals into the foundation of a new type of nation – the representative democracy. No monarchs, no aristocracy, no theocracy, no military junta, no meritocracy – but rather a government of, by and for the people.
No, for me July 4th is a day of mourning – mourning the loss of those great ideals that once guided out great nation.
JMJ
Jersey.
Thats sad
Today is the day I am overcome with humility and pride over the accomplishments we as a people have made..
And I will never be able to put into words the gratitude I have for the soldiers who made all this possible.
Life is good.
Thank you gentlemen.
Eric, Thanks for sharing the experiences of Soldiers and your feelings as well. I spent the day cleaning out connexes preparing for a move, and the latter part of the day we hosted the commander of the Pesh Merga Forces and President Talibani’s personal assistant. They wanted to share in our celebration of freedom and thank us for helping them realize lifelong desires of their personal freedom. Although the commander expressed regrets that we weren’t home with our families this year, he described 17 long years away from his family – as a freedom fighter – so today he exalts in our celebration because it means so much more to him. Unlike some newspaper accounts, every Iraqi – Kurd, Sunni, and Shia I’ve met – has expressed heartfelt thanks for our being here. I’m guessing the ones who aren’t happy are either dead, hiding, or lurking in the shadows looking for an opportunity…
Our ancestors fought against a group of good people who pretty much only oppressed them through taxes – they didn’t rape, torture, or control their every move. This doesn’t diminish the importance of freedom for me, but it certainly makes me question where you (Jersey) are coming from… the US is fighting against theocracy, aristocracy, and any number of “ocracies” you can name…so it begs the question of which way do you want it? We are freer as a nation today than we have ever been, but we are also closer to losing these freedoms than we have ever been because of our socialistic bent… name a country other than the US that has people banging on doors, slipping through fences, enduring ocean trips on rafts, and doing whatever it takes to get here… then make a decision about whether you want to stay free or not. I rather liked the “blank check” analogy – and you can keep the change.
“We are freer as a nation today than we have ever been”
LOL!!! You’ve got to be kidding!
If it makes you guys feel any better, though, good ol’ stupid Jersey McJones took a 220V shock today! Weeeeee!!! My grandmother-in-laws central air went down today. I finally figured out the problem – the hot wire on the compressor was completely rotted off the lead. Yes, I found out the hard way. Fixed the problem though, and so now I don’t have to share my holiday weekend with a woman who thinks one speck of dust in your home is a sign of satanic malevonence. Win some (free time), lose some (brain cells and the feeling in my extremities).
Happy July 4, guys! I may be in mourning for the state of our nation today, but at least I can enjoy this beautiful weekend, albeit without the feeling in my arms. ;)
JMJ
JMJ;
“LOL!!! You’ve got to be kidding!”
Be nice if you could elaborate on that.
When have we been more free than we are now ?
JMJ;
“but at least I can enjoy this beautiful weekend, albeit without the feeling in my arms.”
So now you’re completely numb from the waist up ?
Slam a cold one for me and try to be happier.
Ooop, sorry, ya prolly need a straw
Nah, I’m fine. Just a little shock therapy. Play with wires… Fortunately(?), I’ve taken so many, I don’t suffer the aftermath nearly as bad as I used to.
As for this “freedom” silliness, we have more people per capita in prison than any nation on Earth. So please knowck it off with the “free” scat. Freedom has a price these days, alright, but it’s only affordable to the wealthy.
JMJ
“I don’t suffer the aftermath nearly as bad as I used to.”
If you’re on the inside looking out it appears that way.
You cant be serious.
You are actually using our prison population to back up your statement ?
I thought you would at least give an example along the lines of civil rights or something like that.
Although a lot of the guys in jail are there because of bum raps it pales in comparison to all the liberties and freedoms we take for granted compared to many other countries.
Besides that more than half of them belong there and it doesnt neccessarily mean that the rest didnt break the law.
People in other countries aspire to get locked up in America.
Any place in africa I’d like to be at thats more free ?
Nope.
Any place in the middle east ?
Nope
Any place in Europe ?
Not at that rate of taxation.
China?
Screw that.
Japan ?
More taxes.
Russia ?
No way.
South America ?
To dangerous.
Mexico ?
Nope.
Asian continent ?
Yea right.
Canada ?
More taxes
None of those places are as free as we are.
They all have governments and systems that are socialist or they tax the crap out of you or its dirty, or poor, dictatorhips, communism, church running state.
I’m not wealthy. I’m free
[…] Eric explains what July 4 means to him. […]
Yes Micky, we’re better off than most people in Africa. Yea for us.
JMJ
Jersey, Sorry you got zapped. You are the one who brought up military juntas, aristocracies, monarchies, and theocracies. We are the only nation on earth who has actively pursued eliminating these for the benefit of the masses. Having said that, we are getting a little help from Australia, England, and Uganda… Enjoy your long weekend and freedom from feeling!
JMJ;
“Yes Micky, we’re better off than most people in Africa. Yea for us.”
How convenient that you forgot the rest of the countries I mentioned.
You could be living anywhere right now.
but you’re not, are you.
If you truly think that you have more to mourn than to celebrate on this day I dont know what to say to that kind of cruelty
I am not sure I agree we are “freer than we have ever been” but I know we are free than anywhere else in the world. Eagle I can think of no better day to say thanks for all you do to keep us that way. You keep the “Spirit of ’76” alive. (no I am not talking about union 76 or Carter’s election :-))
Jersey, sorry to hear about the shock but I must say I feel sorry for you and at the same time am confused. How you can mourn and not see that this is still a great country guided by those same ideals is beyond me. Furthermore it seem you tend to advocate positions which whittle away at the very ideals you seem to feel are disappearing.
To me the 4th of July has always been a source of pride and joy about the nation Of which I am proud to be a citizen. My earliest memories of this day are when I was very young and my dad was stationed at Yokota AFB in Japan, We would go to the base carnival, tour the airplanes and watch the fireworks at the end of the day. It was a piece of America in a land far away. I am just as proud of our nation today as I was 40 years ago.
We are most obviously and certainly NOT freer that at any time before, NOR are we freer than anywhere else on Earth. There’s two ways of looking at freedom in this context: Anarachy (Somalia, Haiti, Afghanistan) or Free Democracies (Scandinavia, Autralia and New Zealand).
As for Democracies, this list from the Economist ranks us at 17: http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf
As for liberty, this list from the WLP ranks us at number 8: http://www.stateofworldliberty.org/report/rankings.html
Even with economic freedom, as defined by Heritage, this list puts at number 5 (up over the Bush years due to deregulation and lowered taxation which the Heritage people see as always positive): http://www.heritage.org/Index/countries.cfm
So by any measure, be you liberal, conservative, libertarian, whatever, the US is MOST CERTAINLY NOT the freest country in the world. And to be honest, I would leave if it were more feasible. As for being freer then ever before, I would suggest reading up on your country’s history, because that’s just a plain loony thing to say.
JMJ
Don’t feel sorry for me, Parrot. I’m perfectly happy living my life without the blinders always on. It makes life worth living. What I mourn is the degradation of the body politic, the dumbing down of the culture, the return of the Guilded Age, the rise of the police state, the militarization of a once benign nation, the coopting of the European colonialism model, the cannibalization of the nations wealth, the cultural religion of uber-individualism and uber-materialism masquerading as Founding American ideals, and on and on. Personally, I think only a selfish fool wouldn’t mourn such regression of the American state.
JMJ
I’m sorry Eric, I’m really pi$$ed.
But I find this attack on our countries greatness by using this phony display of patriotism cloaked in self righteous dissent disgusting.
“Don’t feel sorry for me, Parrot. I’m perfectly happy living my life without the blinders always on. It makes life worth living.”
So what you’re saying is that the rest of us are happy because we dont see things your way ?
How dare you come off as someu nique little elitest who is the only one aware enough to see things that quite frankly are only products of your hate for your country and George Bush ?
Does it really make life worth living when everything you just said would make someone want to move to Darfur if it were all true ?
Blinders ?
I think you’re blind to the fact that most of what you stand for and wish upon this country will never happen. Mostly because the party you support has failed consistanly on a average far greater than the right.
“What I mourn is the degradation of the body politic”
Then go to a country that affords you more opportunity than this one to change it
“the dumbing down of the culture, the return of the Guilded Age,”
What dumbing down ? Maybe in your neighborhood but American culture is a mixed bag that has produced some of the most diverse and intelligent people in the world. And we are also the most innovative of all cultures on this planet.
Return of the Guilded age ?
You mean like when we pulled ourselves out of the great depression ?
What ? You got something against our countrys progress and a man making out alright ? Would you prefer we go back to the dark ages ? Or something less ?
What the hell are you talking about ?
“the rise of the police state”
Yea right. LOL.
We’re all under curfew and have to succomb to law enforcement at their will constantly.
Prison population not right ? YEA!
Police state ? Not even.
“the militarization of a once benign nation”
Benign my a$$. Lets talk about all the people that died as a result of Iraqs benign revolutionary gaurd and the millions of human rights violations that were anything but benign.
” the coopting of the European colonialism model”
Iraq is a soveriegn country with its own resouces and government.
You saying we are guilkty of colonialism and theres really nothing but your intentinally exagerated views to back that up.
“the cannibalization of the nations wealth”
No, that wont happen unless Obama gets his way. It’ll be worse. Instead of it being eaten within our country our wealth will be passed out to the rest of the world.
” the cultural religion of uber-individualism and uber-materialism masquerading as Founding American ideals, and on and on. Personally, I think only a selfish fool wouldn’t mourn such regression of the American state.”
Individualism is not religion. Its a constitutional right and the materials are our constitutional right as the pursuit of happiness.
Bad money ! Bad money ! Go away !
Personally ?
Only an arrogant idealistic fool would make these claims on the most wonderful day in our countrys history and not cry a little everytime the national anthem gets played and be so grateful that he would out of respect not spout off such crap
Micky, you’re the perfect example of why I mourn. You don;t even know your own country’s history.
“Return of the Guilded age?
You mean like when we pulled ourselves out of the great depression?”
You don’t even know what and when was the Guilded Age.
You use stupid terms like “elitist” created by the truly elite to denegrate progressivism for the consumption of the writhing sycophants who vote against their own interests.
I won’t even address the rest of what you said. Suffice to say, you proved my point.
JMJ
“Micky, you’re the perfect example of why I mourn. You don;t even know your own country’s history.”
You think so ?
You insult your own intelligence and what little sense of humor you have.
First of all I have a computer and I can enter into any debate with whatever knowledge I need.
I’ve proven to be way,way,way better at coming up with facts and relevant documents to prove my claims as opposed to you always expecting people to take your word for it as in your list of gripes up above where you give no example of anything you say is happening.
You rely on the emotion and expectation that people will trust your word and lay down like fools.
And when we don’t you accuse us of not being informed ?
I was being a smart a$$ with recovering from the great depression as sarcastic comparison to the recovery after the civil war.
It was an industrial boom and so we did enter another phase of prosperity after WW 2 just like we recovered after the civil war.
But oh no !
You have to bust out your ” as a student of history” crap so readily that you forgot to look a little closer. And so all that narcissistic baggage you carry impeded your ability to see the joke.
Yea, you are an elitist snob.
Here’s how I got there.
Its only obvious that you think its fashionable on the one day we should celebrate our country to go off on some whining spree that makes you look like you are so aware of all the hurt going on, here and all over the world.
THATS WHAT LIBS DO !
Liberal activities are all about ego – to demonstrate “I care more than you do” without really helping anyone.
And all your gripes up above are just creating an atmosphere of crisis and fear to justify the collectivist oppression you guys want to impose on the country
All you bitch about could be fixed if you guys could just control everything, right ?
Only problem is that as a “student of history” you should be aware of the fact that socialist and communal collectivism has always failed and what remnants of it that have survived so far are not doing all that well now, are they?
But, that’s why the left is insane.
The description of insanity is to keep going back and doing the same thing over and over again and at each return you expect different results.
Like Carter. Hmmm .. let me go back to the middle east and try the same act again , maybe it’ll work this time. NOT !!!
Proved your point ?
ROTFLMAO.
You proved no point at all. WHERE ?
You haven’t even made clear what that point would be other than that you think I missed on the guilded age.
But yet, up til this point so far.
You have not been able to give me one example of all the things you are crying about and you talk about the ability to “suffice”?
Weak bro, weak.
Your game has been better before and you know it
Appears I misspoke… maybe “we” (as in you and me) aren’t freer today than ever before…maybe it’s just me. I can do more now than I’ve ever been able to do in my life. I can work, or not. I can go to church, or not. I can vote, or not. I can say whatever I want in cyberspace as long as it doesn’t overtly threaten someone, and I’m safe…or I can be courteous. Last I check, we were a republic…I know, the ignorant masses are still trying to make us a majority rules democratic society, but we have a few months of sanity left…
Fair enough, Eagle.
JMJ
The only reason I’m posting here is because I cant log in at the Obama post.
But I am logged in here of course.
So, maybe after I post this it will acknowledge me and let me post on the other thread.
Here goes nutin