My view of the 4th of July is like Memorial day. I think of the freedoms that used to be celebrated on the 4th as dead and gone like my brothers in arms that I memorialize on Memorial day.
I spent the last 25 years in San Diego where I saw at July 4th celebrations all over Southern Ca. more Mexican flags and Viva Mexico signs than American Flags. I witnessed after the first Iraq war El Cajon Ca. completely over run by Iraqi refugees shipped in and given tax payer money to buy up everything. Now That small city is referred to as little Iraq. Now in SoCal flying the American flag is considered insulting to people from other countries so political leaders are forcing people to remove them from their houses. There is even a movement to force a ban on singing the anthem at sporting events.
It is going to get uglier before it gets any better. I feel the American Culture is dying in this age of open borders and Globalism.

 

Maybe we see it as a hollow holiday now with the current governments attacks on freedom and liberty in our country. It used to be my favorite holiday but now it just seems to feel like a lie as we no longer have independence to run our own country. That's just me though.

 

These days I treat the 4th of July like Memorial Day, more a time for quiet reflection than celebration.

 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Still lots of fireworks and a big deal in my mind. The US isn't perfect and maybe it's lost some of it's luster but I'm still proud to say I'm an American.

 

Cabb, I feel your sentiments towards being an American. I did not leave my country, My country left me. More accurately my country in essence forced me out. I still have hopes for an eventual return to Honor, God and Country but I'm not holding my breath waiting.