July 4th.

[Alleyyooper]

July 4th was always a lazy day as I was growing up in on a mid Michigan farm. We would do the morning chores of milking the cows then taking them to the day pasture. We would empty the stock tank and refill it with fresh water cold from the well  then put a watermelon in it that dad had bought the day before from a produce stand. With that finished we would dress in out Sunday go to meeting duds and go to town to see the parade, back then WWI and WWII and Korean vets would march with the VFW of American Legion group. If there was a election in the near future there would be many local candidate’s riding in the back of a Convertible provided by a local dealer ship. Of course there would be boy scouts girl scouts and all the little ones like cubs and brownies. They were kids on decorated bikes and farm equipment dealers parading some of the equipment they sold. After the parade we would go to the fairgrounds where there were a lot of farm community activity’s going on, horse shoe pitching contest was a pretty big one with many teams entered. My dad used to pitch some with his brother; they normally would end up somewhere in the top 10 but both had a horse shoe pit at home they practices a lot at. We also would find a empty picnic table and have a feed made up by my mom and aunt of fried chicken potato salad and other summer foods topped off with that ice cold melon from the stock tank and wrapped in burlap. Just about 3:00 PM dad would head off to the grandstands with us boys in tow to watch the horse pulls.  Back when I was a boy many farmers still kept a team even though everyone had a tractor or two. We would rush home after the horse pulls and do the evening milking then rush back to town to see the fire works.
   I got drafted in 1966 and was sent to Viet Nam, sort of  lost my patriotic side as I saw how the leaders of our country was running the war almost like it was a way to control the male population of our country.  Still got a lump in the throat when the flag went by during a parade and the anthem still means some to me but I know longer have the pride I once did and stopped doing the normal July 4th stuff we did as kids.
I got a job in the cities when I got out of the service. We got the 4th of July off if it was during the work week. I worked with a guy whose brother worked for Stroths Beer Company who always got a bunch of tickets to tiger games in the summer. He would give some to the guy I worked for who would give me a pair for the 4th. I would have my dad come down and go to the game with my friend Ernie and I, They always managed to lose too but it was time with dad who enjoyed the game just as if they would have one.

[LazyBkpr]

Alley;
   I am very patriotic. I get goosebumps when the national anthem plays, and annoyed when some famous person singing it butchers it up just to be different. I have stood at the ready, M16 in hand and pack on my back waiting to load up in May of 1982, and then again in October of 1983. We were all young, dumb, and excited, and ended up never leaving the ground in either event.
   I have found, that the loyalty and friendship my grandfathers and uncles found while fighting WW2, Korea etc, etc...  was not what was waiting for me when I joined the service..  Yes, I made long lasting friendships, and had some amazing adventures, but instead of the loyalty, I found that the big ball of poo rolled downhill, and everyone above me was packing pounds of poo into that ball as it rolled, so I lost a lot of the innocence and loyalty, in effect the patriotism of my youth vanished..    Until I realized,

I can LOVE my country and still hate the leaders of our Government.

[Les]

Lazy - you hit the nail right on the head.

Ken and I are patriotic twosome.  We are having a barbecue with friends, family and neighbors.  Our plan is to kick off our party with the singing of "God Bless America" and then the pledge of allegiance.  Some in attendance will probably be a bit surprised but we both feel that this is a day to show other folks that it is more than just about eating, drinking and socializing.  We are both sour on our government but we still love our country and feel blessed that we wake up every day in country where we have running water, medical care (although it is a mess) and full bellies.

Everybody have a pleasant and patriotic 4th of July

[tbonekel]

To you guys who have served or have been more than willing to serve, thank you! We really could use a little more patriotism in this country right now. Anyway, with teenagers, our Summer and July 4th is anything but relaxing. We are currently assisting many people who would like to celebrate our country's independence by blowing up a part of it. We sell fireworks as a fund raiser for our high school band. It's different than I remember. We are in a big, air conditioned building with shopping carts, cash registers and the works. Beats having to sell out in the hot sun.

[efmesch]

Lazybeekeeper says: "I can LOVE my country and still hate the leaders of our Government."
Ef adds: And you have the right to vote and take your share in the process of changing it, according to the rules of democracy.  Ever since I reached voting age (a long time ago), I have never missed the opportunity to vote in a national election.  I look at the process of voting not only as a right but as an obligation each and every one living in a democracy should remember to fulfill.

[Alleyyooper]

I am calling B/S on this part.
"could use a little more patriotism in this country right now."
this country is full of it now. Not one day goes by with out some spokes person asking you to help a Middle eastern vet, vets family or all the middle eastern disabled vets and their family's.

What I have a problem with is the so forgotten vets, Ya Korean vets, Viet Nam vets who were treated like a load of cow dung when they got home sweep them under the rug and they maybe will go away. And least we for get the Granada vets (?) who are they?, Dimican and Somalia vets too. If you are not a WWII or a gulf vet you don't get more that 10 words on all the net works put together on VETERANS DAY.

You can't out buy the rich to get a decent leader for this country or even at the state level.

  Al

[Bakersdozen]

I can LOVE my country and still hate the leaders of our Government.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/yes-nixon-scuttled-the-vietnam-peace-talks-107623.html#.VZbENWBRGP8
We have had some real stinkers in the White House.

Happy Birthday USA!  Enjoy the day and I hope your dogs aren't too scared by the fire works. 

[Alleyyooper]

Give her on Benadryl cap 2 hours before.

  Al

[iddee]

I joined the Army in July, 65. Was sent to Germany in Dec. Took me until July, 66 to get my request for transfer approved to go to 'Nam. Got there in Sept.. 66 and stayed until Sept., 67. Reenlisted in Dec., 67 and went back to Germany. Got out in Dec. 70. Spent one year in National Guard in 72 and73.

NOPE, no patriotism here.

[Ray4852]

I agree 100 percent with EF. If we don’t like our government we can change it. We have a lot of people living in this world that would love to come here and have the opportunity to have a better life. What we need in our country today, some of these people to come here and show our spoiled American people how good they have it. 1776 was a big day for our country. If it wasn’t for those people we wouldn’t be here talking about it right now. Our forefathers came here because they wanted a better life. do you remember the words president Kennedy said. If you don’t like the way our government does business you and I can change it.

[riverbee]

a little late to this thread, but a song comes to mind, by lee greenwood.....
life is good for me, and in the big picture, i don't have much to beetch about, thanks to those who made that possible for me, never mind government and politicians, i pay no never mind them.....we make our lives what they are with or without them and adjust or not and make decisions individually to enjoy what we have or not or choose to gripe about.  i choose to enjoy my life irregardless.......

"God Bless The USA"

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
Well, there's pride in every American heart
And it's time to stand and say that

I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA

[lazy shooter]

I did a hitch in the US Army long after the Korean War.  I was discharged and called back into service during the Viet Nam War.  That is yet another common thing that I share with Iddee.  Being a member of this forum requires me to set my politics aside.  That is difficult for me, but it is the agreement I made when joining this fun forum.  Let me just say, I have fought for this country and would willingly do so again.  If nothing else, I am a patriot.  I love Independence Day.

[Bakersdozen]

[/quote]

 Enjoy the day and I hope your dogs aren't too scared by the fire works.
[/quote]

Noticed a "Lost Dog" poster on a utility pole yesterday.  A neighbor's dog ran off during the evening of the 4th.  The wording on the sign suggests that the companion dog was frightened by all the fireworks in the neighborhood.  I feel bad as the woman is in poor health and was very attached to the dog.  Myself and my dog relied heavily on over the counter doggie sedatives.   We have one shared neighbor that is very irresponsible.  Grrrrr!

Sorry if I hijacked this thread.  It just chaps my hide.