I’m into relatively quiet celebrations myself. But there is one ritual to which I am faithful annually. When the “rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air” commence for 4th of July celebrations… whether I am there to watch, or just hear in the distance in the quiet of the eve… I always recite the Preamble of our US Constitution. (I guess because these senior moment brain cells can’t manage to retain the 273 words to the Introduction/Preamble of the Declaration…)
I do so specifically to remind me that the 4th of July is not about the BBQs we enjoy, or the colors dancing in the sky that we never associate with bombs of war, but instead fill us with awe and excitement. These simple pleasures of our daily lives are merely the fruits of what many brave souls secured for us when thirteen colonies decided to defy England, and create a new nation on July 4th, 1776.
Resulting from our predecessors’ signatures on the Declaration of Independence, and their extraordinary dedication to creating “the land of the free, and home of the brave,” our current US Constitution – creating an entirely unique government of “We the people” – was drafted 11 years later. Our place in history as a nation was born.
As a child of 1950s-60s education, we were required to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution… and to this day, I’ve never forgotten. So if you’re looking for a private and quiet reminder of the true importance of this day, I invite you to share my own, longstanding ritual. Perhaps we can start a trend, yes?
If you’ve forgotten, it’s posted below to remind you. And may this Independence Day be filled with the blessings of Freedom for you all.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.