America’s Special Days
July 1, 2011 (Friday)
Three great days honor America: Memorial Day in May, Independence Day in July, and Veteran’s Day in November. [Additional patriotic holidays in the U.S.A. are: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day), Flag Day, Constitution Day, Election Day, and Bill of Rights Day.]
Memorial Day is set aside to remember all those who have given their lives in the service of their country. It had its beginning after the Civil War, the most costly of all our wars in terms of human lives.
Independence Day, known also as “The Fourth of July,” is a celebration of our independence as a nation and our freedoms as Americans. It is intended to be a joyful day, and is usually punctuated with fireworks. In our church in Ingleside, I plan to preach about freedom this Sunday, July 3. The second sentence of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Veteran’s Day, November 11, is a day on which we honor all those who have served their country in a branch of the Military. Originally, November 11 was a celebration of Armistice Day, remembering the end of the “War to End All Wars,” WWI. After subsequent wars were fought, it was changed to honor Veterans of all kinds in recognition of their accomplishments and sacrifices for us all.
Generally speaking, Americans celebrate Independence Day not only by remembering their roots as a nation, but mainly in enjoyment of their freedom in exciting and happy ways. Happy Fourth of July, dear reader. Aren’t you glad to be an American? And grateful?