Independence
Fireworks have marked celebrations for centuries. First there’s the zoom of them shooting into the air, the brilliant explosion of light and color, and then the big BOOM as the sound catches up. A fireworks display always reminds me of that line in the National Anthem: “and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air…” It reminds me that on the other side of the world, there are folks who may be viewing fireworks that aren’t pretty or exciting, but a matter of life and death. Throughout the history of our country, men and women have voluntarily put their lives on the line in the fight for freedom. Their families, too, have paid the price for independence, for unity, for democracy. The national anthem was written by Frances Scott Key, who was detained by the British during the war of 1812. As they attacked Fort McHenry, he sought a glimpse of their emblem of freedom, the American flag. After witnessing the battle throughout the n...