To a 4-year-old, it sounded like the sky was falling.
I could hear the hissing, then a tense second of total silence which was immediately and catastrophically shattered by an explosion that seemed to shake the very ground. While everyone else was cheering, clapping and smiling, I was waiting for it to begin all over again.
While those fireworks were a beauty to behold in the dark July sky, the sound itself was something that petrified me.
Through the next several years, my experience with this July 4th tradition matured greatly. I welcomed attending patriotic concerts in the evening with wonderful friends. We would share a picnic dinner, enjoy the symphony and await the culmination of the evening: the spectacular fireworks display.
Recently, I thought about those memories and the way my view of the holiday fireworks show has changed over the years. It is not unlike how our country has grappled with the entire concept of freedom in its nearly 250- year history.
To a world that knew only kings, queens and dictators, we declared that we would be a free people; ruled by no one but ourselves. We boldly made that proclamation in the face of the strongest military in the world. Global monarchs and tyrants witnessed the explosion of a new republic and trembled at the thought of that unbridled wave coming to their own shores.
Yet this experiment with freedom came with its own price. Through the ensuing decades we struggled with the definition of freedom. Who should be free? When?
We exported that struggle through a timeline that extended from the 1800’s to deep into the 20th century and even today, we understand that freedom continues to be defined throughout our country and our world. We’re reminded that freedom will always be sought after and fought for by many who may never experience it.
With this 4th of July may we:
All know the blessings that freedom brings. Freedom to pursue our own dreams and live our lives in harmony.
Gather the ones that we love close to us and wave our flag in gratefulness for our home.
Meet with our neighbors over a fence line and get to know them just a little better.
Be thankful to our Creator for those who laid down their lives that we might agree and even disagree, but most importantly, live in peace with one another.
On behalf of the St. Cloud Chamber family, I wish you peace, joy, lemonade, ice cream, corn on the cob, a two-year-old waving a flag and all the blessings that freedom bestows on your home.
Dirk Webb is President/ CEO of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce
