The 4^th of July holiday evokes many emotions. I’ll laugh and banter with family and friends as we eat barbeque—perhaps indulge in a few beers. The Red Sox will play ball just for us on a TV set up at poolside. My brother-in-law will challenge all with his butt-bounce off the diving board, but I’ll refrain because I enjoy freedom of choice. Wow, now that does invoke this Connecticut Yankee’s pride in these United States of America. So many countries don’t enjoy the basic tenets of freedom— We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. And as evening brings with it a growing darkness, sparklers will be lit; fire works will enthrall my family. We will celebrate these truths.

I realize my country has its imperfections, but on July 4^th, I become a patriot, not a cynic. My mind will travel 10 miles east to the Hale Homestead in Coventry, Connecticut, carrying with it my silent thanks to one of many who sacrificed for my—your [?] freedom.

Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Widely considered America's first spy, he volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission, but was captured by the British. He is best remembered for his speech before being hanged following the Battle of Long Island, in which he said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."  My writer’s mind couldn’t conceive such patriotic poetry. 

Happy Fourth of July.