host posted on June 30, 2009 17:55
By Dorothy Rimbold
Growing up in Holyoke, Massachusetts, so close to ‘The Cradle of Liberty’ and other places, where so many historic events took place, gave me a bit of an advantage as far as appreciating the true meaning of the 4th of July from a fairly young age. I always looked forward to the day, maybe even more than some of the other big holidays we all celebrate, and especially knowing that it was declared a legal holiday in 1941, the year that I was born.
Since the New England colonies played such a major role in the American Revolutionary War and other events that led us to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and ultimately, OUR CONSTITUTION, you never had to go far to find someplace or someone with a story to tell. All during my school years, there were always special patriotic programs, and especially those leading up to the BIG DAY, so it was not a stretch to have some inkling about the meaning of that day.
As a child, the parades, picnics and fireworks were always a source of goosebumps, excitement and anticipation, probably much like that first observance of July 4th, in Philadelphia, on July 8, 1776 must have been, when the Declaration of Independence was read aloud with the ringing of the city bells and bands playing. I can almost see the street crowded with people, celebrating this auspicious occasion that so many had given so much to obtain.
Somehow, I believe that my decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1959 evolved, in part, from my experiences growing up with a background rich in the history, values and traditions of our Great Nation and the fact that the history and traditions of the Marine Corps mirrored those same ideals.
The Forth of July always reminds me that, here in these United States of America, it was decided, back in 1776, that man is born with certain inalienable rights and that our government is merely a 'vehicle' driven and 'fueled' by the people, for the people, to lay claim to those rights. And in claiming those rights, we also assume a great responsibility, since THAT government has no real power in and of itself, unless voluntarily given by the people - THAT IS US - We must use this 'POWER' wisely and well.
We must never allow this Nation to become a government of the 'stupid people, by the stupid people, for the stupid people' for then, it would certainly perish from this earth.
We can sometimes forget that, and we never should! Serving your country is a privilege; living here is even more of a privilege.
I must be ready and willing to do my part. And that is what the Forth of July means to me!