To me it's a tiny little American flag which our grandpa wore on his lapel. I guess he wasn't very flamboyant - that was showy to him. But this day was very special to him because it was the day we celebrated pride and love of our country. Of course there were picnics, and he bought Roy Rogers cap pistols for my sister and I so we could shoot up the peace and quiet of the countryside. There were black snakes and sparklers, maybe some little penny firecrackers, too. Grandma brought her fried chicken and potato salad and a gallon jar of her own strawberries and a big yellow cake and whipped cream. Once I remember a firework display over the lake. Even at my young age (probably 3 or 4) I thought it was beautiful. My dad and uncle were both serving in the Second World War and weren't there but Grandpa would hold me up to find them in the big, long picture of their graduating class from naval training. I knew they were fighting over there and I knew our entire country was behind them because we were patriotic - ladies were knitting socks for the "boys in the service", people were on rations and we even saved the silver liner in gum wrappers to give back to the war effort. Sugar wasn't available but Grandpa had bees and people came to him to buy honey. Everybody waved the flag and got tears in their eyes when Kate Smith sang "God Bless America". And I knew war was hell, the lady across the alley lost 3 sons in the war and she was very sad. And I knew about Pearl Harbor.
So many of our lifetime lessons are learned at a very young age. So many things form our love for our country and yet I think that we all feel the same way a little bit, unless we don't at all. Whatever memories and lessons have brought you to this day, and however you choose to celebrate,I hope you have a wonderful day on this birth of our country. Diane
