Tomorrow is one of the greatest American holidays, Independence Day.
Not only do we love the long holiday weekend, complete with cookouts, family gatherings, and loads of fireworks, we also appreciate just how great it is to be Americans.
Lots of holiday excitement each year during some of our country's warmest weather to honor our nation since our declared independence from England in 1776
In the history of countries, our young age is pale in comparison to many on the planet.
Many world political philosophers would say our country continues to be a work in progress.
Spending many Independence Day celebrations in Our Town, I remember years of honoring the event in various ways. Way, way back, Stillwater laws allowed fireworks to be discharged in town, and we always enjoyed going over to our buddies' homes if their parents were big purchasers of the loud bang stuff. Of course, there were many years involving water cooling off. This was accomplished at delightful Crystal Plunge, off East 6th south of the grain elevators, occasionally at a rare, privately-owned home swimming pool, or the easiest way of all, in your front yard with a garden hose turned on full blast! After a day with lots of hot dogs full of fixins', chips and soda pop, nightfall would eventually descend. At that point, the sparklers would emerge, pop bottle rockets, Roman candles, Black Cat firecrackers, smoke bombs, silver torpedoes, black snakes, and other assorted Asian-manufactured fireworks we were able to light with punks or real matches.
When we returned to Stillwater in 1981 from San Diego, the tradition continued. An absolute annual requirement was the 9th Avenue July 4th Parade, commencing each Independence Day morning from the Mignon Hamilton residence in the 1400 block. The parade participants consisted of anyone that wanted to attend the late holiday morning affair, and in reality each year, that would consist of the very young walkers to the elderly with assisted walking devices. All the assorted characters were truly a site to behold.
Musical instruments were also encouraged, and many marchers brought one or more. Important to note, musical talent was not needed, just the ability to carry the item and make noise, ride a bike or use a stick to beat on a metal can.
The littlest among the marchers were often pulled in wagons, and our Boo-Boo, aka Robbie, was frequently listed with those being pulled. Most of the time, the wagon-puller was his dependable sissy, Michelle.
Every great band needs an outstanding master, and this one had the greatest of all time.
Lawrence Gibbs.
The man-of-many-hats, including longtime News-Press fame, relished each 4th by dressing in various outrageous attire, and leading the ragtag group. We traveled south of Mignon's home, then east, to the nearby nursing home. Here we would assemble in front of the facility on its north side, and entertain the residents. Those residents that were physically able, came outside to enjoy our serenade. Others opened the facility windows to hear us salute America.
Following our brief patriotic ceremony, Maestro Gibbs would turn his troupe around, and we marched (?) back the short distance to Mignon's home. There, we would settle in her backyard where she proudly handed out numerous awards to parade participants. After publicly recognizing individuals, she then treated us to a tasty lunch. We could always count on Mignon to be decked out in her patriotic best, too.
Several times as our children were growing up, we'd be invited by a Yost Lake resident to participate in their 4th celebration, too, which we did in the afternoon after Mignon's parade.
In the classic facility NE of Stillwater, Yost Lake provided lots of fun and excitement during this wonderful holiday. Sack races, 3-legged races, egg-balancing races, and various water races. relays, etc, filled the afternoon with area families cheering on their favorite participants. Of course, traditional foods were served in plenty the entire time, and greatly appreciated.
Oh my goodness, traditional American holidays have so many memories associated with them.............
This one is for us, Americans in Our Town, U.S.A.
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