As I watched the Fireworks this evening, I had a lot of thoughts going through my head and one of them was that i should make them public so i decided a blog would be a good way of doing so. This is the first time in a couple years that I've been at home to see the fireworks and it was a wonderful experience for me. I took time to contemplate patriotism and what it means to me. I thought about what our founding fathers would have to say if they saw our country now. These men were brilliant and most certainly inspired in the way they did things. Like all people who are doing what is right they faced some serious and substantial opposition. I think they would be pleased to see so many people who were excited to celebrate liberty. Liberty to me is something very interesting. The fact that so many people take it for granted is kind of what makes it what it is. Every single person has the freedom and liberty to be a complete moron and fight against the liberty and freedom that gives them the ability to do so. I've seen a lot of people who unfortunately feel the need to do that. I think that such outbursts against the government would bring both joy and sorrow in the hearts of our founding fathers. They would be joyful because they could look at it and say "wow everything we worked hard to provide this nation is available to the people." Everyone is now allowed to express their own viewpoints. they're saying things that would have been treason before the founding fathers assured us those rights, and they don't even have any idea that at one time they would have had to fear for their lives if they said things like that.
I also thought about what fireworks represent, what sort of symbolism they contain. Why are fireworks the traditional method of celebration for Independence day? A major answer to this question is found in our very own national anthem. We always hear the line "the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air" and just think of it as part of the song. For Francis Scott Key(the lyricist for the Star Spangled Banner) this was something very real. He saw the British bombs over his head exploding he was there during the battle. Can you imagine knowing that your enemies were there waiting for you all night? not only that but picture yourself as being surrounded and outgunned and on top of this they're dropping bombs on your head. We symbolize those bombs through fireworks. Something that was such a serious matter has been turned to represent freedom and to remind us of its cost. As I was watching I was wondering how many people in attendance for the fireworks were considering this fact. They played patriotic music on the radio in coordination with the fireworks display but i noticed that it was less serious and thought provoking than it has been in years that i remember. I thought to myself that maybe they should play the national anthem so we could focus on and remember the poetic words which mean so much. I then wondered "If they do play the national anthem, How many people would stand up and respect their country in the way they ought to?"
Anyway this is getting long but those were some of the thoughts that I had upon seeing the fireworks and a little bit of what Independence Day means to me. I am thankful to the members of our armed service both past and present who do their jobs so that we can enjoy the liberties that we have. Today has been a wonderful day to celebrate these freedoms.
