Live July 4th Thread: Share Your Celebrations with FR!!!

July 4, 2002

[Howlin]

Share your 4th of July experiences and thoughts with the rest of us!

[kristinn]

I just got back from the Mall in D.C and yes, it is nice to walk home from the fireworks.

The security checkpoints weren't so bad where we were at 7th Street. The crowd was late arriving, as were we, and the Mall was gently packed by the time the fireworks started.

Behind us, we could see the Capitol all lit up for the concert there. In front of us, the Washington Monument was slowly enveloped in thick smoke from the fireworks as the oppressive humid air kept it from rising too quick.

The fireworks were terrific, as always, but we were a bit put off by the "peace symbol" fireworks that were part of the display.

Earlier in the day, tgslTakoma and I met other D.C. Chapter members at Morton Blackwell's annual 4th of July picnic at Fort Hunt Park near Mount Vernon. I gave Asa Hutchison a photograph I had taken of him and his fellow House Managers Ed Bryant and Bill McCollum outside the Mayflower Hotel after the trio had interviewed Monica Lewinsky before her testimony in the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton. He signed a couple posters of the "How Would He Vote?" full page ad Free Republic placed in the Washington Times the day before the Senate voted to not convict Clinton. I also gave Hutchison one of Angelwood's buttons that said, "Apologize for Impeachment? NEVER."

After the picnic, we stopped by the Pentagon to tend the memorial for 9-11. The snow fencing put around the memorial trees has allowed the grass around them to return to the point that the grass is overgrown and concealing some of the tributes left there. We spruced it up a little and will do more this weekend.

Even though it was miserably hot today, and the threat of terrorism was never far from our minds, we enjoyed the day and did nothing different than we would in other years.

This we were able to do because of the brave men and women in uniform who stood guard today protecting our Liberty. My thanks to all of them.

[doug from upland]

I was in a GEM electric vehicle parade for Kiwanis following our float in today's parade in Ontario. It was a good parade, but before it started, I was genuinely offended. There were some vehicles in the staging area near the start of the parade (I don't know if they were in the parade) that were blasting Mexican music before the parade on our country's birthday. It was sickening. Sorry, but if people can't assimilate into our culture --- I want them the hell out of here!

[Howlin]

I'm with you!

[Howlin]

What number would you put on the crowd?

[MindyW]

I'm really jealous of your cool weather. It's still 92 here and it's after 11 pm!

[mikeb704]

Thanks so much, Leni. Happy Independence Day to you!

[American Preservative]

#60 - What a beautiful composition Timy! : )

rjaynej, how about #60 for "Essay of the Week?"

[Miss Marple]

What a good thread and an inspiring read! We watched both the Boston and New York fireworks on TV...too pooped from yard work to go downtown to ours in Indianapolis.

The Boston fireworks were prettier, but the New York show had more heart.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

[rwfromkansas]

Reporting in again on the tv broadcast of the wonderful celebration in Wichita.

It was amazing and frankly, I almost cried, something I can't say even remotely close in regards to the other nationally televised events.

We had patriotism everywhere in display.

People with red, white, and blue and Sept. 11 t-shirts, the singing of the Pledge with emphasis on "under God," and a wonderful collection of patriotic music during the wonderful fireworks display (it beat D.C.'s in my opinion). Also, as part of the patriotic music, they had the Pledge again done by kids and master control at the tv station turned the volume WAY up for "under God." It was awesome!

And I just went outside after hearig a lot of booms. The town fireworks display here went on for an HOUR. That is shocking.....last year it went on for 20 MINUTES! I couldn't believe it but I heard and saw the display goig on at 9:15.

I LOVE the 4th of July.

May God bless America!!!!!!!

[redhead]

We went to a local baseball game last night (bottom of the 9th squeaker) that was followed by beautiful fireworks directly above our heads. Today, we went to a small neighboring town for the most politically-incorrect parade in Minnesota, followed by another ballgame, at which we ate popcorn, drank sodas, and ate barbecued porkburger sandwiches complete with sauerkraut (don't knock it till you've tried it). Got sunburned and weary. Didn't everybody?

[kristinn]

I couldn't say. This was the first time I watched the fireworks from that vantage point on the Mall. Usually, I watch them from either the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial or the Capitol.

There wasn't a bare patch of grass in the area around 7th Street where I was. I'm sure the number of people was much less than other years, but the celebration was still well attended.

[meyer]

Happy 4th, Freepers!!!

Guests just left and I have a yard full of fireworks debris to clean up. Its nice to be able to celebrate by having my own display. It was decent though by no means the equal of what some cities put on. More important than the display, however, was the fact that I got to spend the holiday with a bunch of good friends.

I hope everyone had a great time. I also hope that everyone remembers why we are celebrating. Its not only the birth of the greatest nation on earth, but a time to reflect on those that gave their lives for this country. And, of course, a time to remember the events of 9/11 which will live forever in my mind. I will NEVER forget!!!!!

[pyx]

First thing ... thought about freedom. Then on to the labors at hand. Read a bit on FR. Then on to the serious stuff. :)
I only managed a very short 25 or so clicks today and I was not pushin' it like I normally would. It was just too hot to do any more.
I ate hot dogs (no buns) corn and green beans. Washed it down with real orange juice. (Now I wished I'd had a few ice cold beers and BBQ salmon steaks in sweet/hot soy and lemongrass ala Pyx style.) Tonight it might be cool enough to actually sleep.
Happy 4th, America.

[shaggy eel]

,,, hope the 4th of July was a relaxing and enjoyable day for y'all. My kids are on holidays for two weeks (middle of winter here) and they got along to 4th of July celebrations here yesterday - it's July 5 here.

Best wishes.

[Catspaw]

Longtail is still a party area (or it was before the lake levels went down), but when we kept our boat near Sturgeon Bay, we'd anchor out in Sawyer Harbor & sail (or motor) into Sturgeon Bay to watch their fireworks--or, if it was a nice long weekend, sail up to Egg Harbor or Nicolet Bay/Horseshoe Island & watch the fireworks from, well, whomever had them. There's nothing like watching fireworks from the deck of a boat. I'd go into the galley & pop some popcorn, we'd pop a couple beers & lean back & enjoy.

I watched the fireworks from the backyard tonight--pretty good show! The dog still hasn't come out from underneath the bed.

[meyer]

Huck,
You are both an incredably lucky man and an incredably intelligent man. I can tell from the picture that this woman is not only beautiful (obviously) but also is very dedicated to you and in love with you. That look on her face says it all.

Hope you had a great 4th.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

couldn't say. This was the first time I watched the fireworks from that vantage point on the Mall. Usually, I watch them from either the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial or the Capitol.

That has to be some really good memory-makers. I don't know how I would like living in that area, but the impact of the surroundings is unequalled.

[Angelwood]

Sounds like you had a wonderful view of the fireworks. Many years ago, when my kids were little, I worked at 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue and was able to take my family up on the roof to watch the fireworks. The brilliant displays floated practically over our heads and it was a memorable experience.

I spent a very low-key day with a sick hubby today -- missed the Fort Hunt picnic, but glad to stay inside since the temperature was so sweltering. He felt somewhat better this evening, so we drove to Fairfax Circle and parked near the Dunkin Doughnuts and set up our lawn chairs on the hill. The Fairfax City fireworks display was spectacular and the area was crowded with many families there to celebrate America's Birthday and enjoy the rockets exploding in the sky.

When we arrived back home, we were able to watch the live A&E telecast of the firworks in Boston. It was a very good day. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

[Rebelbase]

LOL! The original King George. Ours is Pres. Anyone calling him King is absurd.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Wow! What a catch!

(the fish; I meant the fish)