Happy 4th of July

This day always reminds me of my grandfather's birthday. When I was a kid we would always travel to New Jersey to visit him and some of my aunts, uncles and cousins. My grandfather was born on the 4th of July and my mother's birthday was the 5th. We always had a big party in Grandpa's basement.

It was years later that I learned that he ran away from Germany when he was a teen. He came in through Ellis Island. After lying about his age,he joined the Marines. It took years for them to discover that he was not the age he said he was. He spend 44 years in the Marines serving his adopted country. When he retired he held the rank of Captain. One of these days I hope to go back to Arlington so that I can see his headstone. He was buried there at Arlington National Cemetery. He had a full military detail, complete with a horse drawn caisson and honor guards. My cousins and I, while riding in the limo, were surprised when the other funeral details had to stop and salute.

This is the day we asserted our independence from England. Looking back at those times in history, I marvel at the efforts of those brave men who crafted this historic document which set this country on the path of freedom. To this day there are still those among us who are willing to give their lives to insure that we can always say "Let Freedom Ring". Happy 4th of July to us all.