Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Independence Day Celebrations
How does one celebrate Independence Day in the United States when one does not support their President and his war games? People of the Republican party openly flaunt their pride in country every day, but for Democrats like us it feels hypocritical to celebrate something we are often embarrassed to be: American. Don't get me wrong: I am deeply grateful for my blessings, to have the opportunities this country offers, and to live in a peaceful place. But I am ashamed that our arrogant leader thinks our way is the only way, and is determined to meddle in other nations' and cultures' affairs. So it was with mixed feelings that we donned our red, white, & blue, and took the kids out to celebrate this nation.
The morning began at our local park, with bike and stroller decorating. A firetruck came to lead the kids on parade through the neighborhood. A picnic was waiting for us when we returned to the park. It was great to socialize with neighbors, many of whom are not Americans, but contract workers for Microsoft who hail from India, Asia, and Europe.
In the afternoon we went to the Museum of Flight and explored the warbirds -- planes of the wars designed to shoot and drop bombs. Getting rid of Hitler was a nobel cause, but the whole concept of war (and the justification for it) was beyond the kids comprehension at ages 5 and 3. The kids enjoyed the flight simulators at the museum, but even more, Daddy enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime flight on a real WWII B-17 bomber. Born just after that war, and growing up in an era when little boys idolized the soldiers of war, it was a deeply rooted dream of his to actually fly in a warbird. He was so excited that he couldn't eat for hours, before or after!
We usually go camping on the 4th of July weekend, but this year we only got as far as the backyard, and the "campout" only lasted until 10pm before the kids were ready to return to their own beds. It was nice to pretend for a change, and not spend days packing, driving, pitching, tossing, turning, freezing, washing, packing, driving, cleaning, and doing 8 loads of laundry at the end. Ah, the comforts of home!
Happy Independence Day, for those of you who celebrate it!
The morning began at our local park, with bike and stroller decorating. A firetruck came to lead the kids on parade through the neighborhood. A picnic was waiting for us when we returned to the park. It was great to socialize with neighbors, many of whom are not Americans, but contract workers for Microsoft who hail from India, Asia, and Europe.
In the afternoon we went to the Museum of Flight and explored the warbirds -- planes of the wars designed to shoot and drop bombs. Getting rid of Hitler was a nobel cause, but the whole concept of war (and the justification for it) was beyond the kids comprehension at ages 5 and 3. The kids enjoyed the flight simulators at the museum, but even more, Daddy enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime flight on a real WWII B-17 bomber. Born just after that war, and growing up in an era when little boys idolized the soldiers of war, it was a deeply rooted dream of his to actually fly in a warbird. He was so excited that he couldn't eat for hours, before or after!
We usually go camping on the 4th of July weekend, but this year we only got as far as the backyard, and the "campout" only lasted until 10pm before the kids were ready to return to their own beds. It was nice to pretend for a change, and not spend days packing, driving, pitching, tossing, turning, freezing, washing, packing, driving, cleaning, and doing 8 loads of laundry at the end. Ah, the comforts of home!
Happy Independence Day, for those of you who celebrate it!
# posted by kanda @ 9:24 PM 
