Day's meaning has changed over the years for veteran

Personal declarations

The Fourth of July has meant many different things to me over the past 68 years.

As a child growing up, the Fourth meant an all-important day off from chores. It usually involved a family outing, firecrackers, baked beans, bon fires and, of course, wieners and marshmallows on a stick.

As a draftee during a forgotten war, the Korean Conflict, the Fourth of July meant a time to serve my country. As my Dad used to say, "Your country right or wrong, Jimmy." His logic was never questioned.

Later, I would wonder why it was a forgotten war. I will never know the reasons, and no one seems to care. War was never officially declared nor armistice signed. But the row upon row of white crosses bear mute testimony to its harsh reality.

Later, as a father, my family celebrated this summer holiday with the age-old traditions of my childhood, the campouts and everything that goes with these happy memorable times.

The years have passed and the celebrations have diminished. As in "The Winds of War," families have become more scattered due to the tugs of love and economic survival. Now, with each passing year, as I face my own mortality, the real meaning of Independence Day seems stronger than ever.

You only have to view the first 15 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" to realize the true meaning of the Fourth. In comparison, picture if you can, Washington with his rag-tag army crossing the Delaware on Dec. 26, 1776 -- during a bitter cold winter that tried men's souls.

Yet these two very different armies had the same ideals, love of freedom, burning patriotic spirit and the willingness to make unimaginable sacrifices. These same attributes symbolize all of our great leaders and their armies, past and present.

These are the things I will ponder tomorrow as I unfurl my flag with pride. I will thank those who went before and those yet to come.

Copyright 2000 Cowles Publishing Company
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