Its funny, I never equate drinking and partying with July Fourth.   Especialy destroying the environment.  My family and I spent thrEfourth visiting my husbands home town and going to a real old fashioned parade and party.  We have been doing it each year and we love going back and visiting with his friends and families from his childhood.  Don't get me wrong, we went to a party and did have a few festive margaritas, but it wasn't about getting drunk.  It was about celebrating the day of independance with  good friends and appreciating the fact that we can do it in this country. 

To me Independence Day isn't necessarily about being patriotic it's more about being free. I am not a patriotic person because I believe I belong to the Earth not one small part of it that we say is "ours." I choose to celebrate by doing what I want on July 4th not what some government or even my family wants me to do. I was fortuante enough to spend the majority of the day in my own home and after that I choose to spend it with my family (and I did take my own Corell plate with me.) We were home early and in bed before the fireworks had hit their grand finale. That's my idea of Independence, being free.

For my 4th of July, I had gone to some friends of my dad's house. We all sat around, drank and just talked and chilled. We had a BBQ but suprisingly we didnt use the grill my father's friend Sonny made Ribs, they were awsome. But I never saw the BBQ grill on, I have no idea hoe they were made, but they were amazing! When we were done Sonny's wife and I picked up all the trash and beer cans, and recycled! Yay for us!

I am one of the most patriotic people you will probably ever meet. My mom and dad were in the Air Force. My Grandpa and uncle, officers in the Army. Then there were more in WWII and too many to remember! When you see your family go away to a war to fight for OUR country, you wake up and realize some things. Especially when my father went to Saudi when I was about 4 or 5. I remember his first 4th of July when he got back.... We went to a baseball game and at the end when they do all the fire works and play music, my dad, the strongest person in the world to me, broke down and started crying. I asked him what was wrong, he told he had never been so happy in his life and PROUD of what he did, but also he was sad from things he had lost. Besides the point I am VERY proud to say I am an American!

I also do believe that 4th of July is not an excuse to go out and trash our country and world. It should be an incentive for us to make our country BETTER not worse. Honestly, do we like to see the streets in our country covered with trash and homeless people living on the street? I dont. This is the land of the free, and we have more right than most country's do. We missuse our freedoms sometimes for the wrong things. People need to wake up and realize what they are doing not only how it makes our country look but also how it affects our enviorment.

I have always associated the 4th of July as a time spent with family, friends, and the community.  Since I have been little my entire family will always get together for an afternoon bbq.  It is something that I always look forward to and love having this time to catch up with those that I do not get to see very often.  It is also a day where I feel such a sense of community.  I always travel home to my parents house and the small town that I grew up in.  Everyone comes out to celebrate with big smiles and warm wishes.  The day ends with fireworks!  This year was no different.  I love the 4th of July.... it is one of my favorite holidays and my favorite day in the summer. 

As a History major I appreciate the holiday for what it stands for. We are really no better nor worse then many other nations. I certainly don't agree with all we do but I'd rather live here and be able to vote freely. I also believe we are responsible for taking care of our planet "we the people" if we all do our share and contribute to its health I see a better future for our children. The easiest thing for all to do is recycle. I am seriously going to be more responsible in this area.

The fact that we can exchange these ideas with one another is the reason our ancestors fought for us.  Whatever we do, and whomever we do it with is up to each of us.  My children watched the fireworks and could not believe how beautiful they were.  They are still talking about it.  Yoiu forget what it is like to see them light up the sky!