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Blog Entry 2 of 7 Did I Say That?
Well ... chances are pretty good that if you read it here, I said it! I've worn lots of hats; I've walked a lot of trails, so on what I may be opining may be quite varied. I was raised in the Deep South, proudly served in the Army and lived since February 1996 in the Denver metro. I've worked in a fast-food resturant; a computer lab; a college information center; a library; as a Soldier / Linguist in the Army; in a full-service resturant; a comic book shop; the Colorado Department of Institutuions; the Denver Federal Center; a medical staffing agency and now a hospital. I'm a son, brother, friend, father, ex-husband ... and hero (at least to my son). I've met a lot of people and have come to respect most of them. I try to give all of them the "Right to be Wrong." All I ask in return is the same consideration. So keep an open mind about my entries and I'll do the same for you. I might even make sense to some people!

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~didisaythat

The Fourth of July is NOT an American Holiday

Contributed by: Gene Boshell   on 6/29/2007

That's right, folks; The 4th of July is most certainly not an American holiday. I mean really ... would you say any of these things on their time of the year:

"Merry 25th of December";
"Happy 25th of Kislev";
"Happy 9th Month of the Hijri";
"Happy 14th of February";
"Happy 4th Thursday of November";
"Happy First Sunday Subsequent to the First Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox "?

No, you wouldn't (unless you were trying to be cheeky). We say:

"Merry Christmas!";
"Happy Hanukkah!";
"Happy (Month of) Ramadan!";
"Happy (Saint)Valentine's Day!";
"Happy Thanksgiving!";
"Happy Easter!"

Let's get back to the basics, citizens; the actual holiday is called Independence Day. It just so happens that it is observed anually on the 4th day of July.

My point in all of this is that we so rarely hear the words "Independence Day" anymore, and to me that is a tragedy ... a truly American Tragedy. By saying "The 4th of July" we (for the most part) have separated ourselves from the intent of the actual holiday and turned it, as is the case with most other holidays, into just another Festival of Gluttony.

We have too often forgotten that people died to give us this particular Festival of Gluttony; and they continue to do so today. People who have been immortalized by history; people who I have known; people who I will never know ... all of these people have died to give us the foundations upon which we have built our woefully declining society.

Before I stray from the intent of this little offering, I wish to conclude by saying this:

If you know someone in the military, be it active; reserve; or the dependent family of a serviceperson, acknowledge them. If you know someone who has lost someone they love in the military, acknowledge them. If you know veterans, acknowledge them. If you see someone looking at Old Glory with an aire of reverence about them, acknowledge them ... and acknowledge yourself if you are so moved to make even one of these acknowledgements.

So ... have a cold drink and a hot piece of whatever from the grill; be safe; have fun; and never forget that the 4th of July is just another day of another month, but the true holy-day ... er ... I meant holiday ... is Independence Day.


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 6/29/2007 @ 9:43:44 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Well said, my friend. By the way, thanks for your service -- and thanks for your aknowledgement of my brothers and sisters in arms. Jenny (the dependent upon whom I depend) thanks you, too. Bill
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Submitted By: Erin Feese
posted on 6/29/2007 @ 10:21:18 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Good point, Gene. Thanks for the reminder that the day isn't about fireworks and picnics, it's about celebrating and appreciating independence.
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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Gene Boshell

Lakewood , CO

Gene Boshell has posted 7 blog entries and 29 comments since joining on 1/6/2007. Gene Boshell 's average blog rating is 4.81.
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