It Was A Great 4th of July For All The Right Reasons

In my book a great thing is happening in the United States of America right now ... a thing we saw ample evidence of over the 4th of July weekend. We are seeing our country return to patriotism, to an open and unyielding love of this nation and an understanding of freedom.

The 4th of July has always been a great American holiday, but there was a time in the '60's and beyond when that's all it was, a day off from work. There was an era when it wasn't popular to talk about how great America was, and when it was out of vogue to say anything nice about the military. We even apologized for being Americans.

This year was different. We began to see how great the change was when the American Legion organized the local Memorial Day Parade, and we saw 15,000 people line Green Street waving American flags. We saw a change among our young people when a number of graduating class leaders volunteered for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force.

And on this 4th of July, 2003, we did much more than just take the day off; we proudly celebrated the fact we are Americans. Did you see the front page story in The Times telling about our local youth showing renewed patriotism? On WDUN, did you hear the famed recording of Red Skelton reciting and telling the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance? The American Legion continued their tradition of celebrating America's birthday with fireworks over Lake Lanier, but this year may have been their greatest ever. This was a great 4th of July in Northeast Georgia, but more importantly, it was a great 4th of July for all the right reasons.

This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.