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. : )

July Fourth Tribute to Benawell Bonfoey Connecticut 6th Regiment

I haven't any pictures of my Revolutionary War ancestor, but I am fortunate enough that he and his wife and children did draw pensions for his service.  I have first a summary of his service. 

It puts him in the 6th Connecticut Regiment.  I found a description of the mission his company went on in May 1777, that he participated in.  (remember you can click on the image to enlarge it to read, the click back)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia this is an example of where the 6th Connecticut Regiment under Jonathan Meigs and Samuel Parsons fought. 
 In May of 1777, they used whaling ships and sloopes to raid and rescue at Sag Harbor.  "Landing on Long Island they marched across to Sag Harbor, surprised the garrison, burned a dozen vessels, destroyed a large quantity of military stores, killed several of the enemy and took 90 prisoners, without losing a man. For this action, Col. Meigs was voted a Sword by Congress, which now hangs in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
After the Sag Harbor raid, the 6th Connecticut went to Peekskill, New York to join the other regiments of the Connecticut Line. The Connecticut Line wintered at West Point during the winter of 1777-1778. While there, they constructed the "Meigs Redoubt" and other fortifications in the area."


It is a blessing that the Continental men chose to fight for what they believed in.  I am grateful for the freedoms I enjoy today because of them.   My hope for the nation is that we will hold close to the beliefs and basic truths that the country was founded upon.

The graphic was from Graphic Fairy

The document was found on Footnote.com

Happy Fourth Of July!

I will be with half of my family having a picnic and celebrating the Fourth in the style of my fathers ancestors...we will be at a Tea Party...Our version is inspired by the Boston Tea Party, that was inspired by Samuel Adams.
To the left is my great grandfather Levi Gildon. His gr gr gr grandfather set a precedence for our family in loving our country. Richard Gildon took to heart the expressed feeling around the first Tea Party and answered the minute men call in Connecticut! He fought at the battle of Lexington.
I have been a lover of the Fourth of July since a little girl sitting on the court house lawn in Pawnee, Oklahoma watching the fire works after a day of picnicking and fun with the cousins.
Now it is not just fun, but a wonderful opportunity to teach my grandchildren about why they celebrate.
Hope your Fourth of July day was wonderful too.