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The 4th of July is Independence Day

Posted on 03. Jul, 2009 by Amber Porter Cox.

Born an American, I grew up with the fireworks and the BBQ’s and I knew it was a good thing to live here, but it wasn’t until my time in the military did I appreciate the work that goes into this privilege of freedom. This Independence Day, I celebrate my freedom and think of my friends who have served and are still serving this great nation. During my time in the military I realized how many freedoms I gave up: I had many days without sleep, worked endless hours and realized the effects of war through my friends returning, some never to be the same. I also watched many families give up so much in support of a loved one in service to this country. I am ever grateful of my existence as a woman and as a citizen of this country – there are so many experiences and opportunities I would never have living anywhere else. This topic becomes especially top-of-mind when war is present across the various parts of the globe, and other nations are fighting for even the slightest increase in freedom; something we have had for so long. We are lucky. And no matter what your political stance, this holiday uses the symbolic display of fireworks to represent our celebration, for which we have so much to be thankful.

Check out what people are saying online about the “4th of July”:

Other very popular and powerful words to me include the Declaration of Independence, because they inspire me to believe in the power of ideas, people and that we have the ability drive change:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
[read more on the Declaration of Independence and other charters of freedom]

I wish you a happy and healthy holiday, celebrating our human right to freedom and to everyone in pursuit of their own version of it in work, finances or government – it is a gift! What resonates with you as you celebrate the 4th of July?

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