Tag: July 4th

What Does Freedom Mean?

Posted on by Jordank

Amid the bombast of the fireworks, the festivities of the family cookout and the splashy hubbub of the pool party on Independence Day, you might take a minute to think about what #freedom means. Few of these celebrations would be possible without it — or at least they might not be nearly so joyous.

Too often, the word “freedom” is misused in service to a partisan position, author, Afghanistan war correspondent and documentarian Sebastian Junger told Military Times upon the 2021 release of his book, Freedom. “Freedom comes with responsibility. Freedom means freedom from oppression, not freedom from obligation.”

While The Organizing Blog regularly talks about freedom from #clutter, true freedom is an all-encompassing imperative. Even as you thank a #veteran, remember that you, too, are in the fight. Be wary of those who misuse the term in service to an ideology that seeks to undermine it, and join in the work to guarantee that every person in America is equally entitled to lead a life of liberty.

“Freedom is being able to come out of your house and do what you want to do,” Maryland veteran Harrison “Lumpy” Johnson told the Severna Park Voice in 2015. “People complain all the time about the country and where we are headed. We have freedoms other countries do not have. When The Star-Spangled Banner plays, it gets me.”

The concept is not lost on children. “Freedom to me is being able to go school to get an education, to go to church to practice my religion, to have a house to call a home,” wrote Kylar Thomas, winner of the Manistee (Michigan) VFW’s 2015 Patriots Pen contest. “These are just a few of the things we have in the United States that some countries cannot do freely. That is why many people from other countries want to move to the United States.

“We are a country that has brave men and women who have fought to protect these rights. They know first-hand how important it is to be thankful and to protect our freedom,” Thomas noted in his essay. “We need to be grateful for all they do and the sacrifices they made for our country.”

The definition of freedom may be just a little bit different for every person in the good ’ol U.S. of A. It’s a melting pot of cultures and attitudes — people working together toward a brighter future. That’s what makes the country great and free. Remember to celebrate that fact in the weeks ahead.

Happy Fourth of July from the Vietnam Veterans of America and ClothingDonations.org!

What We Celebrate When We Celebrate Independence Day

Posted on by Jordank

Heading into the July 4 weekend, you’re probably getting ready to fly the flag, have a cookout or watch a parade and pyrotechnic display. But it’s also a good time to reflect on what we celebrate when we celebrate #Independence Day.

The Second Continental Congress approved a resolution of independence on July 2, 1776, but issued the #Declaration of Independence — announcing the legal separation of 13 colonies from Great Britain and establishing a new nation — two days later.

Founding Father John Adams told his wife, Abigail, that he expected July 2 to be the date celebrated “with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more,” but the official declaration’s date became the anniversary day.

The document is remarkable for championing the equality of all men; guaranteeing the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and establishing the government as the protector of those rights. If the government fails to protect these rights, it says, the people are free to form a new one.

At the time, no other nation had defined its purpose in such plainspoken and universal terms, and the concepts are worth revisiting. And with the United States now the richest and most powerful nation in history, many forget the advantages of such inalienable rights or attempt to restrict others’ access to them.

While American society has maintained considerable and often brutal inequalities in the years since, today we interpret the Declaration of Independence as guaranteeing the foundational rights of rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to everyone — not just people of one’s own race, gender, religion or party. The nation’s #veterans have fought repeatedly to protect those rights, and they could dissolve just as quickly as they came together in 246 years ago in Philadelphia.

This July 4th, take time out to enjoy that all-American hot dog. Go see that parade. Watch a star-spangled display. Enjoy the long weekend. But remember that in establishing a new, self-governing nation, the Declaration of Independence sought in some measure to mitigate oppression for every citizen of the United States. And that work is not yet complete.

Celebrating the Fourth of July Outdoors

Posted on by Jordank

The #pandemic is subsiding in most parts of the country, mostly thanks to a vigorous push to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 as quickly as possible. But you may still wish celebrate Independence Day outdoors this weekend.

The pandemic pushed people to take more of their activities outdoors over the last 18 months since the virus is difficult to transmit in open, well-ventilated areas. And there’s no reason to stop enjoying the outdoors — and the summer sun — now!

You may opt to get together with friends and family over a cookout or at the pool to observe the nation’s 244th birthday over the long weekend. Any or all of these options will now be relatively safe if you continue to take common-sense precautions.

The World Health Organization advises that even fully vaccinated people wear masks and practice other preventive measures such as hand-washing and social distancing to discourage the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Most people will be eager to see a parade and fireworks display since so many were canceled in 2020. Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals, however — with record temperatures throughout the western half of the country, the risk of fire is substantial.

What’s more, pets and veterans alike may be traumatized by fireworks, says American Humane. The boom and bombast of ceremonial fireworks isn’t much different from live ammunition when you suffer from #PTSD.

Veterans’ groups will participate in Independence Day events throughout the country, however, appearing at parades and festivals. Many will feature fundraising for veterans’ causes, and all offer locals the opportunity to #thankaveteran personally.

If you have time, visit one of the country’s many state and national parks. More people have embraced hiking and camping during the pandemic, and there is probably no better or healthier way to see “America the Beautiful” up close.

Whatever you choose to do over the long weekend, try to get outside and celebrate the nation’s birthday safely. The pandemic is not yet over, but the good weather will end before you know it.

 

Safety First When Setting off Fireworks

Posted on by Jordank

With Independence Day coming up, the National Safety Council (NSC) warns that although many fireworks are legal, they aren’t necessarily safe. More than 12,000 people were injured in fireworks-related incidents in 2017, and two-thirds (67%) of the injuries took place in the weeks surrounding July 4. If you choose to set off fireworks this month, follow precautions such as wearing protective eyewear; staying clear of people, houses and flammable materials; keeping a bucket of water nearby for spent fireworks; and only allowing older children to use them under strict adult supervision. “Better yet, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show,” NSC says.