Happy 4th of July

[Dads dogboy]

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

Hope you all stayed COOL, did not Eat TOO much, and enjoyed your Families!

Please take a moment and reflect that today does not celebrate the discovery of the Firecracker, but Honors those Brave Individuals who could very well have been signing their Death Warrants when they Signed the Declaration of Independence and set the foundation for what we all enjoy today!

From Our Family to Yours "Happy 4th of JULY"

And "God Bless America"!

E. Finney and C. John Clay

[SECOND NATURE]

AND A HAPPY FORTH TO YOU AND ALL THANK YOU LARRY

[Mike Leonard]

Amen to that C. John!

Happy Fourth to all!

I already ate too much! LOL!

[pegleg]

took the family to the parade today and as the VFW passed the old man carrying our flag caught my eye he had already marched over a mile and looked to be ready to succumb to a heat stroke or a cardiac event. but you could tell he'd either make it or die trying! that's the courage and determination that made today possible for America from the beginning i hope these values and pride carry on in every future generation. although i don't see those personal ethic's often i remind myself they are developed and perfected only through great trials in ones life. the very trials we often strive to soften or eliminate in our children's lives . makes you wonder how much help is detrimental to their character. just some thoughts of mine. happy fourth to you all may we be as determined as our forefathers

[spruce mountain]

Well said pegleg,Happy fourth to everyone

[david]

Good words. Pegleg I think about that a lot. I want my kids to be protected from pain and heartache, and I want them to have depth of character. Hmm. And as you say, the depth comes through pain. I guess the best we can do is give them a solid foundation and protect them while we can, then hopefully they will be able to stand and do the right thing when reality comes along.

It is hard to think of how many have died and been injured and suffered brain damage and psychological hardships so that we could enjoy the freedoms we now have. Has anybody ever seen a figure for lives lost since the 1700s fighting for our freedom? If there is one, it wont even begin to measure the hardships and trials of those who fought or of their families.

Thanks to anyone reading this who has served in this way. I did not, and I regret it. I tried to enlist a few years back and they said go away you are too old.

[Buddyw]

Hope everyone had a Good 4th....