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by Timothy O'Keefe
by Capt. Joe Gautille
by Annie Hoelzel
On the Fourth of July, I think of those who fought for the freedom I enjoy. I have always believed that the United States is the best country in the world, and I have always been proud to call myself an American. I am thankful for our troops that preserve our freedom and country everyday from those who would hurt us without their protection.
As a woman, I am especially grateful for those who fought for women everywhere during the suffrage movement. Because of them I have the freedom to be exactly where I am today, an employee at Southwest Airlines. Their perseverance has allowed me to be an independent woman and responsible for my own future.
I feel it is important to celebrate this nation’s independence. We need to remember the lifestyles and living conditions our ancestors broke away from to start a new life with an unlimited future. It is no wonder that the United States is still the country with the most immigration. Everyone wants a taste of freedom.
by Shannon Draper
On July 1st John Adams wrote the following letter to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[6]
Of course, John Adams was off by 2 days. However, in his letter he says that we should celebrate and 235 years later we are still celebrating with pomp (a show of magnificence: splendor <every day begins … in a pomp of flaming colors)
The 4th of July means to me a time of celebrating our independence, showing our pride for being an American, and showing others what America has to offer. We do this by way of picnics, baseball, and fireworks. One of my most memorable 4th of July celebrations is when I was a little girl in Amarillo. My cousins would come from Oklahoma, California, and around Texas to visit. On the 4th of July, early in the day, we would all get together to play baseball, cook hamburgers and hot dogs out on the grill, and eat homemade ice cream. One year my mother made coconut ice cream and the coconut froze and made it real chewy. Of course none of us wanted to say anything because we had waited all day for ice cream and we knew better than to complain. Later on in the evening, my Dad would pile us all in the 57 Chevy and take us out into the country to shoot fireworks. Of course we couldn’t shoot off the fireworks until it got dark. I can remember going in my pajamas. My sisters and cousins would set off fireworks and we would all ooh and awe. I wouldn’t get to, since I was so young, but I could hold a sparkler. Now I watch the fireworks instead of participating. I don’t have to drive to the country to set them off but sit on a blanket in a parking lot. I still enjoy the fireworks. However the displays that they have now are a lot better than the ones my sisters and cousins set off nearly 50 years ago. Happy 4thof July!
The Freedom to Vote
by Krista Crow
Whenever I am asked about the freedoms we have, I always think of the right to vote first. Sometimes I think we forget how important it is because we take it for granted. Here is why it holds such a special place in my heart.
My Grandmother was born in England in 1921. At the age of eight she came to the United States on a ship and was processed through Ellis Island. At the age of 60, I taught her the Pledge of Alligence and she recited it to become a citizen of the United States. Her biggest reason for wanting to become a U.S. citizen? She wanted to vote. I will never forget how excited she was to vote for the first time. Ronald Regan was always her favorite president, probably because that was the first time she was actually able to vote for a president. My Grandmother voted in every election, never missing the chance to have her voice heard.
Whenever I vote I always think of her. My grandmother, Florrie Kersey, waited a long time to become a citizen and earn the right to vote. I appreciate the privilege I was given to vote just by being born in the United States.
A Spectacular Display
by Brian Lusk
My airline career began less than a month before a huge Independence Day--our 200th birthday in 1976. Delta had modified its trademark "widget" with stars and stripes on the nose of the aircraft with the slogan "We the People."
In the ensuing 35 years, I've watched fireworks over San Francisco from our Oakland Ops trailer. Landing in Portland through firework-filled skies came later. In those 35 years, I've always been proud to be an American and proud of the small role I play in helping Americans travel about this great country.
Really Free?!
by Ally Harrington
When we say the word "free," or "freedom," we throw the words around like we really know what it means. For me, I did nothing to deserve this true FREEDOM that I have. It's an amazing word - FREEDOM.
I'm free to wear what I want to wear. I have the freedom to go to the Church of my choice. I have the freedom to believe in a mighty and awesome God.
When I think about freedom, I think about a soldier in a foreign land. Each day that soldier is going to battle to fight for my freedom. We use the word freedom, but do we really, truly understand the full meaning of the word?
Freedom to Be Me
by Bill Owen
To me, Freedom is the ability to be who I want to be, who I'm supposed to be, and who I am. Our country--and Southwest!--has given me an amazing ability to be who I want to be. And I LUV it! My family, friends, and church have allowed me to be who I'm supposed to be--which is always one step further than where I am, but that's the point of the journey. As for who I am....like all of us, I'm a work in progress. I’m trying to, as Oprah Winfrey taught us, "live my best life." For right now, I'm an overweight guy on blood pressure medication who likes both beer and Reality T.V. too much. But because I have the freedom to change....In my future is more evening walks than watching T.V., more iced tea and water than beer, and (hopefully) many, many more years to enjoy my life, my family, and my Employer.
Happy Independence day, y'all.
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