Honoring our Heroes

Patriotism.

Plain and simple, that’s what it’s about.

I had almost forgotten about that myself, until I received an e-mail from Anthony O’Brien today, retired Lt. Commander of the U.S. Navy Seals, and current Plymouth County Commissioner.

He wrote to me thanking me for raising funds for the Fourth of July parade and fireworks, and told me he was planning to attend to do his part in the name of Patriotism.  He was concerned many in today’s culture were putting Patriotism aside.

I’ve been planning this dinner Saturday at Plymouth Lodge to raise funds for the parade and fireworks in hopes to promote community involvement, promote Masonic awareness by inviting the public into the Lodge, and giving families a way to celebrate our Independence Day.  But until I read his letter, I had forgotten that we do this in the name of Patriotism.

What is the Fourth of July, and what does it symbolize?  It symbolizes the birth of our nation.  It symbolizes the battles that our Patriot’s fought to gain independence for our nation, forever breaking our ties and sovereigns with England.  It symbolizes our Freedom, and our self-governance.

We were tired of living under British rule, and paying taxes to a king overseas.

In 1980, the Town of Plymouth broke free from its obligation to pay for our Independence Day festivities, putting the efforts into the hands of a private group who would be charged with celebrating our Independence, and do so without using tax money garnered from Plymouth’s residents.

But these days, we forget why we are celebrating.  In a world full of corporate commercialism, we often lose the message in the symbols. The bombs bursting in air, and the rockets red glare.  It’s not just a show to “ooh” and “aah” at, and it’s not an excuse to have a cookout. 

It’s a reminder of the men and women who put their lives in harm’s way to fight for all that we have today.   Our soldiers, our Patriots, who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that you could wander down to the waterfront with your family and watch the fireworks 240 years later.

These Patriots that we celebrate were heroes, and the parade and fireworks are put on to celebrate these heroes.

And to honor their commitments and sacrifices to provide you with all you have today, you should pop open that checkbook and give a few bucks to thank them, to honor them, and to remember them, for without them, there would be no cause for a parade.