Growing up, Fourth of July was a holiday I looked forward to. At a young age, I got to watch fireworks, but as I got older and knew some cool kids, it was a night to light off fireworks. It was also a time for cookouts, cold ones and catching up with friends, but the real reason we celebrate America’s Independence never dawned on me, however it all set in until I was in college.

Now my grandfather was proud of his time in the Navy during World War 2, and certain holidays like the 4^th were always a blast for him but I was too young to get why he loved them. All of it came together when my brother Greg enlisted in the Marines.

Now Greg was a problem child who I always butted heads with, but after he signed those papers, it seemed like a light went off in his head. He changed from snot-nosed punk into an upstanding member of the military. It was a noticeable change for everyone in our family, but the person who was the proudest was my grandfather.

One Fourth of July, while my brother was in Iraq, I went to my grandparents’ house for some food and fireworks. It was then that my grandfather explained to me why the day was so important to him and all of the members of the military – it was the day that they defended. As a soldier the country came first and was something that they were in charge of keeping safe.

From that day on the holiday, along with Veterans’ and Memorial Days, has taken on a new meaning to me. I look back on the years that my family did not have my brother around and the fear that my mother had every night that he was in combat. I remember wondering what he was going through, but realizing that with the job Greg had, that he might not be coming home. It was scary and I cannot begin to comprehend the feeling of the possibility.

So heading into the holiday weekend, I urge you to say thank you to someone who served our country to help protect the freedoms we often take for granted.  Also remember that it is easy to protest the war and place blame on a President or congress. It is a hell of a lot easier than sitting in a far off land away from your family and friends – fighting for those same protesters’ freedom.  With that, enjoy the weekend.

This post is part of the #whywecelebrate initiative started by Heather Whaling as a way to reflect on why we celebrate July 4^th every year. Sure it is to toast our independence, but we often forget who helps keep us free, the military. To learn more about the project, or to get involved, click here to read the full press release – the more stories the better, so feel free to share. If you don’t have a place to, share use the email in the release, or shoot me your story and I’ll be glad to offer some space over the weekend.

Image – Flickr – <wikd>

Growing up, Fourth of July was a holiday I looked forward to. At a young age, I got to watch fireworks, but as I got older and knew some cool kids, it was a night to light off fireworks. It was also a time for cookouts, cold ones and catching up with friends, but the real reason we celebrate America’s Independence never dawned on me, however it all set in until I was in college.

Now my grandfather was proud of his time in the Navy during World War 2, and certain holidays like the 4^th were always a blast for him but I was too young to get why he loved them. All of it came together when my brother Greg enlisted in the Marines.

Now Greg was a problem child who I always butted heads with, but after he signed those papers, it seemed like a light went off in his head. He changed from snot-nosed punk into an upstanding member of the military. It was a noticeable change for everyone in our family, but the person who was the proudest was my grandfather.

One Fourth of July, while my brother was in Iraq, I went to my grandparents’ house for some food and fireworks. It was then that my grandfather explained to me why the day was so important to him and all of the members of the military – it was the day that they defended. As a soldier the country came first and was something that they were in charge of keeping safe.

From that day on the holiday, along with Veterans’ and Memorial Days, has taken on a new meaning to me. I look back on the years that my family did not have my brother around and the fear that my mother had every night that he was in combat. I remember wondering what he was going through, but realizing that with the job Greg had, that he might not be coming home. It was scary and I cannot begin to comprehend the feeling of the possibility.

So heading into the holiday weekend, I urge you to say thank you to someone who served our country to help protect the freedoms we often take for granted.  Also remember that it is easy to protest the war and place blame on a President or congress. It is a hell of a lot easier than sitting in a far off land away from your family and friends – fighting for those same protesters’ freedom.  With that, enjoy the weekend.

This post is part of the #whywecelebrate initiative started by Heather Whaling as a way to reflect on why we celebrate July 4^th every year. Sure it is to toast our independence, but we often forget who helps keep us free, the military. To learn more about the project, or to get involved, click here to read the full press release – the more stories the better, so feel free to share. If you don’t have a place to, share use the email in the release, or shoot me your story and I’ll be glad to offer some space over the weekend.

Image – Flickr – <wikd>

Growing up, Fourth of July was a holiday I looked forward to. At a young age, I got to watch fireworks, but as I got older and knew some cool kids, it was a night to light off fireworks. It was also a time for cookouts, cold ones and catching up with friends, but the real reason we celebrate America’s Independence never dawned on me, however it all set in until I was in college.

Now my grandfather was proud of his time in the Navy during World War 2, and certain holidays like the 4^th were always a blast for him but I was too young to get why he loved them. All of it came together when my brother Greg enlisted in the Marines.

Now Greg was a problem child who I always butted heads with, but after he signed those papers, it seemed like a light went off in his head. He changed from snot-nosed punk into an upstanding member of the military. It was a noticeable change for everyone in our family, but the person who was the proudest was my grandfather.

One Fourth of July, while my brother was in Iraq, I went to my grandparents’ house for some food and fireworks. It was then that my grandfather explained to me why the day was so important to him and all of the members of the military – it was the day that they defended. As a soldier the country came first and was something that they were in charge of keeping safe.

From that day on the holiday, along with Veterans’ and Memorial Days, has taken on a new meaning to me. I look back on the years that my family did not have my brother around and the fear that my mother had every night that he was in combat. I remember wondering what he was going through, but realizing that with the job Greg had, that he might not be coming home. It was scary and I cannot begin to comprehend the feeling of the possibility.

So heading into the holiday weekend, I urge you to say thank you to someone who served our country to help protect the freedoms we often take for granted.  Also remember that it is easy to protest the war and place blame on a President or congress. It is a hell of a lot easier than sitting in a far off land away from your family and friends – fighting for those same protesters’ freedom.  With that, enjoy the weekend.

This post is part of the #whywecelebrate initiative started by Heather Whaling as a way to reflect on why we celebrate July 4^th every year. Sure it is to toast our independence, but we often forget who helps keep us free, the military. To learn more about the project, or to get involved, click here to read the full press release – the more stories the better, so feel free to share. If you don’t have a place to, share use the email in the release, or shoot me your story and I’ll be glad to offer some space over the weekend.

Image – Flickr – <wikd>

Growing up, Fourth of July was a holiday I looked forward to. At a young age, I got to watch fireworks, but as I got older and knew some cool kids, it was a night to light off fireworks. It was also a time for cookouts, cold ones and catching up with friends, but the real reason we celebrate America’s Independence never dawned on me, however it all set in until I was in college.

Now my grandfather was proud of his time in the Navy during World War 2, and certain holidays like the 4^th were always a blast for him but I was too young to get why he loved them. All of it came together when my brother Greg enlisted in the Marines.

Now Greg was a problem child who I always butted heads with, but after he signed those papers, it seemed like a light went off in his head. He changed from snot-nosed punk into an upstanding member of the military. It was a noticeable change for everyone in our family, but the person who was the proudest was my grandfather.

One Fourth of July, while my brother was in Iraq, I went to my grandparents’ house for some food and fireworks. It was then that my grandfather explained to me why the day was so important to him and all of the members of the military – it was the day that they defended. As a soldier the country came first and was something that they were in charge of keeping safe.

From that day on the holiday, along with Veterans’ and Memorial Days, has taken on a new meaning to me. I look back on the years that my family did not have my brother around and the fear that my mother had every night that he was in combat. I remember wondering what he was going through, but realizing that with the job Greg had, that he might not be coming home. It was scary and I cannot begin to comprehend the feeling of the possibility.

So heading into the holiday weekend, I urge you to say thank you to someone who served our country to help protect the freedoms we often take for granted.  Also remember that it is easy to protest the war and place blame on a President or congress. It is a hell of a lot easier than sitting in a far off land away from your family and friends – fighting for those same protesters’ freedom.  With that, enjoy the weekend.

This post is part of the #whywecelebrate initiative started by Heather Whaling as a way to reflect on why we celebrate July 4^th every year. Sure it is to toast our independence, but we often forget who helps keep us free, the military. To learn more about the project, or to get involved, click here to read the full press release – the more stories the better, so feel free to share. If you don’t have a place to, share use the email in the release, or shoot me your story and I’ll be glad to offer some space over the weekend.

Image – Flickr – <wikd>