If you asked your child why we celebrate the Fourth of July, would he/she be able to tell you anything more than “It’s Independence Day?” Between picnics, family gatherings, fireworks and a day off for mom and dad, many young people may not understand or grasp the significance of this day.
Dan and Kris have both served in the military. Dan has been in Afghanistan since last October and is scheduled to return home in August. Needless to say, the Fourth of July is not a holiday they take lightly.
“When we celebrate the Fourth of July, I can’t help but think about the awesome country in which we live,” said Kris. “Our government peacefully passes authority from one hand to another every four years. When we disagree with our governmental leaders, we are allowed to speak our mind. We enjoy freedom, whether we are a man or a woman. You can be born the poorest child in the ghetto and grow up to be successful. Even though our country may not be perfect, we are very fortunate to live in such a place.”
While we experience freedom on a daily basis, our military sees a much different way of life in other countries such as Afghanistan.
“Freedom is still an alien concept here,” said Dan, a Battalion Commander. “But, it is something that people clearly want. There are enemies of peace here. These are people who would stoop to any evil act to coerce people to submit to their version of government. That's why I'm fighting over here. We are doing our best to separate these tyrants from the people so they can choose their own government.”
At Dan and Kris’s house, freedom is not something that is taken for granted. It is part of their everyday conversation. They talk about the sacrifices that families and soldiers make.
Their children see other soldiers spending huge amounts of time away from their family.
“We talk a lot about what it means to live sacrificially,” said Kris. “Military families give up a lot to support a cause greater than themselves. I think this is an important life lesson for our children. I want them to understand what a privilege it is to live in this country.”
We have many people to thank for the freedoms we enjoy. From Thomas Jefferson, who penned the first draft of the Declaration of Independence and the men of the Continental Congress to our first president George Washington, who understood the importance of passing the mantle of power to another, our military and those who have served and are serving in Congress.
If you are looking for some ways to celebrate Independence Day, consider the following:
- Read the Declaration of Independence as a family and discuss what it means.
- Talk about the Pledge of Allegiance and why we say it.
- If you have a family member who has served in the military, ask them to share what the Fourth of July means to him/her.
- Fly the American flag at your home. Talk about the symbolism behind the stars and stripes.
- Send a family greeting to a member of the military. Let's Say Thanks
- When you see members of the military in uniform say “Thank you.”
As you celebrate this holiday weekend, make sure to take some time to share our country’s history with your children and to be thankful for all that we have the opportunity to experience in the United States of America.
Copyright ©2010 First Things First
