As I celebrated July 4th, I realized we often don’t think of all those who came before us sacrificing many things and even their lives to enable us to live in this great country. Cookouts, cold drinks and fireworks are fun and a great way to celebrate, but we need to pause and realize just how blessed we are. All the way back to our founding fathers who spent a hot summer in Philadelphia without air conditioning, cold drinks or even indoor plumbing to draft the document that established America until today men and women have given up homes, family, wealth and safety to build this country. The men who signed that famous paper were signing a death warrant.

Revolutionary War militia, Civil war soldiers to current military heroes promised their very life’s blood to make us free. Many suffered and died for their belief that America was worth the sacrifice. Many who serve in unrecognized and seldom celebrated ways such as judges and courts, policemen, firemen, EMT’s and first responders, politicians (yes even those obnoxious loudmouths) give up large chunks of time and privacy to serve the good of our country. Without these hard working selfless and generous people America simply would not work. We ignorantly benefit from their hard work and sacrifice often not even recognizing their huge contributions.

America is great because its people and its history have worked and continue to work to make it great. It is free and independent because of the lives of those who have given what they had and often what they could ill afford for the country they love. So, enjoy your potato salad and cold drinks, ooh and aah at the fireworks, hug your family tight and enjoy your celebration, but take a minute to think of and remember those who have served and are serving, who have sacrificed and even died for what we take for granted…America where we live free and proud!