Independence Day!

Today is the day that we celebrate the birth of a nation.  On this day, 236 years ago, the thirteen original colonies began the struggle for independence from Britain - from religious persecution and from monarchical tyranny.  Since that day, many patriots have fought, and many have died, to preserve the liberty provided for us by the Constitution.  Today is when we celebrate the sacrifice of patriots and we salute those who continue to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

While we eat BBQ and watch fireworks across the country, other Soldiers and service members are in harms way in Afghanistan, Iraq and over 120 other countries.  While we set off pretty bombs to burst in our air, some of them may actually have real bombs bursting in their air.  It is because of the service members that we enjoy the freedom we take for granted.  By some calculations, there is one active duty service member for every 180 citizens.  In essence, the responsibility to protect and defend the freedom and liberty of everyday living for 180 people in this country rests on the shoulders of ONE Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Coastie.  So, as you remember those who fight for you today, who drive down IED lined roads, who hear the whistle of the incoming mortar rounds and the heavy thudding explosion that follows, who are too familiar with the whip-crack a bullet makes as it zips by, make sure you do what you can to be in one of those service members "Top 180."
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On a lighter note!  Today is also my anniversary!  I love that mine and my wife's anniversary is today because we also get the best turn out for our parties!  Everywhere we go, people shoot off fireworks for us!  Some places even hold parades in our honor - and we aren't even there!  It's always so nice to have our love appreciated and admired by so many!

Today, we decided to relax a bit.  The kids brought us breakfast in bed to start the day.  We stayed home, played in the yard, on the slip and slide, set up the net and played some volleyball, horseshoes, catch, and whatever other cool games were in the bag!







Tonight we went to a fireworks show at the mall.  There were every some parachutists who jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and landed nearby.  From what I hear, it was better than most at the mall - and it WAS very good.  But, as a comparison, it was only about half as long as the shows at Fort Carson.  But, thats not really a FAIR comparison because Fort Carson is an active duty military installation and the fireworks shows there are bound to be the best.













I will say that Missoula (and Montana) is less restrictive in regards to fireworks because even as I write this at 12:33 am (on the 5th of July now), the house is still reverberating with the random fireworks displays put on by whoever has fireworks left.  My wife compares it to Beruit.  In Colorado, after the official fireworks were over, there were very few extras (because you aren't supposed to have fireworks there). 

For the record, my favorite fireworks are the simple big flashes of light followed by the heart thumping BOOM.



Video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05J4DMcNxQ0