Beech Tree News Network

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. My extended family travels to Morgantown for food and fireworks. I love to see them relax and enjoy being together! We began gathering here on the 4th in 1986, and I believe we have only missed two years (both due to illness or injury). Not every family member can come, but most try. Our July 4th gathering has become a family tradition.

Thinking about the coming holiday, I asked friends and family, “What is important to you about the way you celebrate the 4th of July?” Their responses are listed below:

-Getting together with my extended family at my aunt’s house.

-Being with family!

-Spending my time with my family and appreciating the freedom this country allows me to have.

-Most important things are having my family together, eating good food and celebrating our independence.

-Family gathering.

-Family, friends, and the republic for which we stand.

-I love being with family and seeing the American flags and fireworks! It’s a time to reflect on how blessed we are to be Americans and all the freedoms we enjoy in our country. Hearing the National Anthem reminds me of the high cost that’s been paid for what we enjoy.

-Family, food, and fireworks! What else is there? Oh, there’s that little thing called democracy and freedom! Which are both in jeopardy!

-Being with my family. I love our 4th of July tradition and never want to break it!

-It reminds me of the price that was paid for our freedom – and that we should not take it for granted.

-The tradition my family has of getting together and watching the fire works!

-I love the family get together at my sister’s house. The important thing is being with my extended family and catching up and visiting with everyone. Of course, it is important to celebrate the real reason for the celebration of the 4th of July – the Declaration of Independence for our nation!

-It’s one of my favorite holidays! I love the summertime weather, the food, and especially the fireworks. Mostly, though, our family getting together for all of the above is what makes the 4th so great. As a child, the Catfish Festival and how our town transformed for it was one of my favorite times of the year.

The 4th of July is a time to be thankful for our freedoms and a time to spend with family and friends. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said, “With freedom comes responsibility,” and Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto said, “What was important wasn’t the fireworks, it was that we were together this evening, together in this place, looking up into the sky at the same time.” For me, both statements express thoughts and feelings entwined with Independence Day. And as Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” song said, “Let freedom ring, Let the white dove sing, Let the whole world know that today…It's Independence Day.” Wishing you a blessed 4th of July!