Independence Day

One of the very best things about the fourth of July is the sense of community. I know this applies only to the USA, but there is a sense of community that emanates on this day in our country. Just about all small towns, large towns and cities across this land...have a parade, fireworks, picnic food, and collective celebration. We come out of our homes to head to destinations to connect. Whether it is to watch the sanctioned explosives in a park or mall parking lot, or the illegal explosives in the neighbors driveway or back porch...we connect.

One of the ways we connect in the small town of Wilmore, KY is our 15 minute long, fourth of July parade that marches down main street. In this procession you will see the local high school band; the mayor in a corvette convertible throwing cheap candy; the owners of horses dressed in red, white and blue; the lawnmower brigade (men in shorts and white socks with a choreographed routine for their push lawn mowers); and best of all...the bus full of veterans from the local vets hospital. The vets bus is my favorite. I always get an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation seeing the older men and women waving through the tinted windows of the bus. Inevitably, my eyes well up with tears. These are the ones who paid the price to allow us this freedom we share as individuals, with our families, in our individual communities, and in our country. These are the ones whom this day honors as we connect over our cheap hot dogs and illegal fireworks.

God bless the veterans! God bless the USA!