I have always enjoyed the 4th of July and the celebration that goes along with it here in rural, middle America. I still enjoy watching the fireworks as much as I did when I was a kid. It’s now more about my little eleven year old girl and the grandkids but I still enjoy it nonetheless. Just about everybody in Sayre, Oklahoma shows up at the city park about sundown. Several hundred people of all ages are lighting explosives of all sizes, entirely too close to onlookers. As far as I know there have not been casualties (No serious ones, anyway!). Gotta’ be a miracle! Then there’s the ‘big’ fireworks show that the volunteer fire department facilitates. It’s usually worth the wait. But, last night the fireworks display in our little town was different for me. Oh, I enjoyed it as usual but I started thinking in the midst of smoke bombs, sparklers, Roman candles, showering sparks from exploding ‘fountains’, firecrackers and those loud, booming ones that should only be lit by professionals (no pros around!); that in a forsaken country halfway around the world young men and women are being shot at in my behalf! The blasts there are not from Roman candles or Black Cats; they’re from RPG’s, roadside bombs, sniper’s rifles and suicide bombers. I’ve never been one to take my freedom for granted, at least not since I saw “Saving Private Ryan”, but last night I appreciated it more. I have sons that are professional bull riders. That’s pretty dangerous. They were six hundred miles away last night doing something dangerous. But they weren’t ten thousand miles away being shot at. For that, I’m grateful. As a parent, I can’t imagine it. No, last night made me grateful, more than ever before for the men and women who fight and die for the freedom of our country, my freedom. There’s nothing like freedom…..but it ain’t ever been free. Thanks!