Happy 233 America!
The Tygrrrr Express is in Sacramento.
The Sacramento Queen and I will visit the beautiful island of Rio Linda, where Mt. Rush Limbaugh got his start. There were fireworks extravaganzas last night in from Downtown San Diego to the Washington State Northern border, and out Eastward to Maine and Key West, Florida. The Sacramento Queen and I will then watch the fireworks tonight in Sacramento Queen and much of her family before making it back to the City of Angels on Sunday. Naturally of course, there will be tea parties, including one at the state capitol.
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.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/07/04/independence-day-america-turns-233/
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 for those that want to see the glory of America, I take you back in time. The place is Coney Island in Brooklyn. The year is 2007. (Update: Joey Chestnut has done it again, winning in 2009 for his third straight victory.)
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=hotdogeatingcontest070409&prov=ap&type=lgns
On July 4th, American supremacy continues, especially in Brooklyn
“Lady Liberty is shining her beacon of freedom all over the world today, but primarily in the greatest city in the world, Brooklyn, New York.
The rest seems unimportant.
What is relevant is the real story in the news today coming out of Brooklyn, in a small area called Coney Island. Coney Island is the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Boardwalk, and the original Nathans hot dog stand from 1916. Nathans hot dogs are not only the greatest hot dogs in the world, but also the home of the world famous hot dog eating contest. For the last 6 years, Japanese winner Takeru Kobayashi reigned like the Lance Armstrong of competitive eating. Not today! Not in 2007.
“NEW YORK — American Joey Chestnut broke the world hot-dog eating record Wednesday at the annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, downing 66 franks to beat six-time defending champ Takeru Kobayashi.” (story courtesy of Fox News)
In the 1980s, there was a growing fear that America was no longer number one, that the Japanese were replacing us. They bought Rockefeller Center. The American decline was premature, until the 21st century. Six straight Japanese wins at Coney Island left Americans questioning their greatness. Were we becoming a nation of tofu vegetarians, unable to compete? Not since the disastrous 1983 America’s Cup sailing loss have we been so low. Today, supremacy has returned. Joey Chestnut has brought the yellow hot dog belt back to the USA.
“The two gustatory gladiators quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the 17 competitors, processing more beef than a slaughterhouse within the first few minutes. The two had each downed 60 hot dogs with 60 seconds to go when Chestnut — the veins on his forehead extended — put away the final franks to end Kobayashi’s reign.”
First the British thought that they were better than us. Yet if memory serves, it was Pete Sampras that kept winning the British open in Tennis. Tiger Woods does the same in golf. The Germans? Please. Did Detlef Schrempf win anything? What about Dirk Nowitzki? The Russians have not been the same since the 1980 Olympic hockey game, which led to the the Berlin Wall crashing down. Canada? Are you kidding me. The Mighty Ducks brought the might of America another victory.
The Japanese were not going to defeat us in World War II, which lasted six years. Their domination of the Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest lasted six years. This is no coincidence.
Yes, there are ultra serious issues concerning July 4th. It is a day about freedom, liberty, democracy, and all things red, white and blue. This column has repeatedly emphasized the pride I feel being American, and how I wish I could shake every soldier’s hand for allowing me to focus on hot dog eating contests while they handle trivial matters such as saving my life. I well up when I hear Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless the USA.” I get fired up when Toby Keith sings about putting a “boot up the @ss” of the bad guys who wish America harm. Bruce Springsteen does sing about “Born in the USA,” but I think “Glory Days,” is a great metaphor. Ours are continuing. I even find solace in the American dream expressed in John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses,” although not everyone gets that pink house. At least they have a shot.
Some will try to paint today as a day for fat, lazy, stupid American slobs to overindulge in food. Yet if we are such awful people, why does everybody worldwide want to live here? Americans are good people, and we have been blessed. Our indulgences are our way of expressing our blessing. We give generously to other nations, and we are generous with ourselves. As we should be.
I am not Joey Chestnut. I will not be eating 63 hot dogs today, although if I could, I would. I vacation twice a year in Coney Island, where my grandparents reside, along with other family members. When I see my friends, we take that magical trip to the Boardwalk, where the Fireworks go off every weekend during the summer, and the Nathans hot dogs taste fantastic.
So whether it be sports heroes, such as Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth or Joey Chestnut, captains of industry such as Jack Welch or Donald Trump, or the fine heroes of our military, just remember what America truly is. We are high achievers. We strive to be the best. We work hard, play by the rules, and truly believe in the noble greatness of the individual. America is sometimes down, but we have repeatedly been counted out, and those counters have been repeatedly wrong.
To explain American success, I turn to one of my favorite Brooklyn people, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. In 1983, after winning another Superbowl, as he held the Lombardi Trophy, he was asked about what it took to achieve success. “First, you start out with great coaches. Then you get great players. Then you have a great organization. You go out and tell them one thing…Just Win Baby!”
Americans are winners. Other nations trash talk. We go about our business. When you are the best, the results speak for themselves.
July 4th is a celebration of b*tchslapping those who tried to harm us. So while I pray for the safety of our soldiers, I also pray that they b*tchslap some terrorists off the face of the Earth. They do that job brilliantly.
So as we light Roman Candles tonight, and wave those American flags sky high, let’s be thankful and grateful that we truly do live in the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
May God bless America, Brooklyn, and soldiers everywhere defending our freedoms.
Nice job Joey Chestnut. Way to bring home the yellow belt.”
Yet July 4th is about even more than the glory of that Brooklyn day. 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 233 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
What an odd pile of Americana! It just goes to show, diversity really is an American strength. Everything from hot dogs to tofu to Lee Greenwood – whatever floats yer’ boat! I’ll tell ya’ what I think about on the 4th of July: freedom of thought. This, right here, is that rare partisan blog that actually allows for bi- and non-partisan discussion. That open and honest discourse is a true expression of America – an America that many fear is dead, but I still cling to the optimistic belief that it still lives.
Happy Fourth guys and gals!
JMJ
There are other interesting facts about Coney Island which
Eric left out.
I am reminded now about a co-worker, several years ago, who
dismissed Brooklyn, as some sort of animus of humanity.
This character was a character himself, a real red-necked jerk, who
liked to poke fun at everyone. His girl friend was as bad as he was,
something out of a NAZI concerntration camp guide. Blacks, Jews,
Hispanics, Asians, he hated them all equally.
Anyway, his only credit was he fought in Vietnam. Maybe
the war got to him, I don’t know?
One thing about Brooklyn, it has some of the most diverse
neighborhoods in the country, with dozens of minorities.
It is still mainly Italian however..on it’s westside.
Coney Island has many West Indian and US blacks..also
some Jews, but they have been moving to other parts of
New York State, Jersey, Conn, and California.
I recall eating those ” red hot knishes” and “franks”, and
“pizza”, AND ice cold soda., hot corn, etc., years ago.
Some of the restaurants are now Russian owned, so the hot
dog stands have disappeared in part.
Coney Island is really not much anymore, with the rides
having been torn, except for a few (typically seen on TV
crime shows). Steeple Chase is no more.
Stillwell Avenue (the main train station) is still there, as
is Nathans, correct. The Boardwalk has been refurbished
and the beach extended further out.
But one can buy Nathans Hot Dogs now locally..if one looks.
That character I spoke about is really missing something
by dismissing all that is Brooklyn. Somehow, the Southland
doesn’t really match it.
Jers, your America lives in you and I and micky, eagle, DavLev, eric and all the great Americans that speak their mind on this blog and the countless discussions across the land. My hope is that we can and will continue…
Happy Independence Day to all.
Toma