Fourth of July-What does it mean to you?

General Discussion FSM Ready Room
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Hello Everybody!

Ah! Another Fourth of July! Well, this makes 81 for Me! The Fourth,“Hmmm” A day when I remember what I was taught and learned about through life. The Good that brought it about. And Yes! The Bad that accompanys it too. The Bad? Well, I am not going into it here. Just go to your Library and read up on our luminaries from that time, You’ll be shocked!

The Good, lessee, where do I start. A land populated by folks looking for self Government and Freedom from Tyranny! They got that part right! I am thankful everyday for them. Why? Well think of the tumultous days of fighting in Europe to unseat a madman. Yeah, It was Europe. But that jerk would’ve had all of us Goose -Stepping and saying Seig Heil! And on the other side,Treachery and a code of fighting to the death, No Surrender, We beat that too! Freedom from all that ailed the European continent at the time, and the Western Pacific, Family, Home, and Country! Meant everything then.

Fireworks don’t do it for me. Family B.B.Q.s don’t do it for me either. Every time I see a picture of Ellis Island and the ships bringing Refugees into a new cauldron of confusion and unfamiliarity. Yes, that was freedom. You sunk or swam by your own wits . Got that which was formerly out of reach, An Education! That’s Freedom.The ability to set the sights for you and your Family Far higher than you ever hoped and then achieve those goals! That’s Freedom!

Freedom to vote without someone holding a gun and saying you will vote this way! Yes, it’s confusing nowadays, because somewhere along the way many have forgotten about The tenets that make up this great land. I served it, in two Armed Services, I have achieved Most of my dreams and I am happy in the way everything turned out.Why? Because I had the Freedom to do it! Thank GOD above for Freedom. May it ring out in the hills, and in the dales, across the plains and in the streets of cities.!

So with that in mind, I wish all a Happy Fourth of July, and admonish you to remember what it should mean! May God Bless, the United States of America!!!

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Amen!

Gary

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I always think about the old Schoolhouse Rock episode that starts with, “There’s going to be fireworks, FIREWORKS!, on the 4th of July, Red, White and Blue…”

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To me, besides the historic importance where a group of citizens risked certain death by hanging to gain rights they were denied, it means picnics, pops concert, a parade and fireworks!

we all spend a lot of time staring at screens and it’s nice be face-to-face with friends and relatives. I don’t have many relatives now and they are spread around.

Speaking of which, we were in Buffalo NY all last week and the weather was beautiful.

We talked to them today and the weather had turned very hot and very humid. Impossible to do any outside activity.

Bill

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Well said, Gary…

I participated in three parades, one on a float, another with my truck decorated and hauling a truckload of veterans, and one in the colorguard leading the parade. I also manned a booth at one of the local events. All said, it was very humbling but also enjoyable.

Hope everyone else had a great holiday too!

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The Fourth of July is a time to reflect on the history of our country and the freedoms that we have because of the dedication and service of so many people. The 4th was always “busy” for me when I worked as an E.M.T. and now the tradition is to watch the movie “Gettysburg”. The fireworks going off in the neighborhood just "add"to the movie.

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I take out my Gettysburg CD,they always used to show it on TV around then on TBS,but not lately

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I’m doing something special for my local model club (Billy Mitchell Model Club in Milwaukee, WI) for our July 11, 2026 club meeting. To help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence in 2026 :us_outlying_islands: , I am sponsoring a special “Red, White, & Blue” club build theme. I’ve already contacted all the club members about this theme and given them instructions for what its about. In short, any member who wishes to participate is to build a model subject (Must be American USA) that must have all 3 colors (Red, White, and Blue) on it via paint and/or decals. Members are to finish their models in time for the July 11, 2026 meeting for Show & Tell. First, Second, and Third Place awards will be provided by me.

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