Happy Fourth of July! Sharing a Slice of Life: Patriotism

United States Flag in Texas taken by Hummer

The Fourth of July has always been a favorite holiday of our family, both past and present.  We love the beauty of the fireworks in the sky.  And the national anthem always comes to our lips and mind as we hear the cannon sounds along with the bursts of color flying through the air.
Texasblu of Sharing a Slice of Life put up the prompt for Patriotism. 
The Hero and I spent a year studying the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. One of his favorite books, well all of ours, was 'The Proper Role of Government' by Ezra Taft Benson, Secretary of Agriculture in the 50's and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The Hero was a staunch defender of the Declaration and Constitution.  He had strong feelings about the way our country was going.  I always expected him to get up in arms or call for the Militia... but his feeling was we would do better to teach true principles of how man should treat man and how the Bible taught the principles of governing ourselves.  He thought if people knew truth and true principles they would not be deceived by men with desires of power.  I am probably not explaining well, he was the articulate one in the family.  What he did do, was instill in his children not only a love for their country, but the feeling they should be involved in having a say about their country.  They fly the flag, have read the all the above books, are registered voters, keep up on current events, and stand for truth. I had a part in this, but he was the zealous one. 

My wonderful family, picture taken by Hummer

Today, my daughter dressed her small daughters in Red, White, and Blue dresses.  She and her husband wore red, white, and, blue.  The surprising thing was no one else in her church wore any of the countries colors. 
Tomorrow, the Fourth, we will have the standard watermelon, blueberries and whipped cream and watch the fireworks after a barbeque.  I hope your Fourth of July is filled with flag waving, fireworks, family and maybe even some local speeches. : )