The “reason for the season” is a reference often used for Christmas to remind those of us who get caught up in all of the festivities as to why we are celebrating in the first place.

As we enjoy a long weekend based on when Independence Day falls in 2019, it seems appropriate to raise a reminder of what we are celebrating with parades and fireworks and potato salad.

I went to “the lake” yesterday, I caught up with relatives, I rode my motorcycle and watched fireworks at the end of a long and glorious day.  My route was unencumbered, no one asked me who I was going to see, no one told me what kind of motorcycle I could ride or how far I could go and I didn’t have to buy fireworks in order to enjoy a local municipal display.  I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.  We even sang a verse of God Bless America after saying grace before the lunchtime fare.

I only saw and heard hints of military reference among the sea of red, white and blue flags.

•Someone in the boat parade with a sign on the side reflecting on Iwo Jima with a few in camouflage acting out the iconic scene.

•Someone else at the fireworks display last evening dressed in a unique clothing, presumably to draw attention, with a megaphone and expressing their right to free speech berating the US armed forces.

So many hard fought battles took place to attain, retain and maintain independence as a country so that we might enjoy a boat parade, a motorcycle ride, a fireworks display or a prayer before a meal…with family and friends.

We are a young country by most standards.  We don’t always understand or respect the sacrifices made in order to live the life we are so blessed to live.  Our democracy has incredible freedoms built into it and those freedoms continue to expand.

No matter how you celebrate Independence Day this long weekend, my wish is that you enjoy your time with family and friends to the fullest.  Remember that the freedoms we enjoy today, not simply the birth of the country that we toast each Summer but the lifestyle we have been afforded cane to us through so many brave souls who fought in wars they may or may not have understood or agreed with including many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

God bless America!