Thoughts on the 4th of July

[Jane Mulloy]

I tell my daughter, “Do something that makes you happy, be true to yourself and proud of who you are.” Are these not the same things our forefathers wanted for us when they drafted the Declaration of Independence? “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..."

As the 4^th of July approaches take a few moments out of your celebration to silently thank the patriots who risked so much. Thank the men and women who have and continue to protect our country and your freedom.

For me the meaning was never clearer than at my father’s funeral eight years ago, when two Army officers removed the flag from his casket and carefully, silently folded that flag thirteen times. The sound of “Taps” filled the air while one of the officers then slowly saluted and carefully handed the flag to my mother, thanking her on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation for my father’s service in World War II. He and his crew were true heroes, shot down twice they evaded capture behind enemy lines. They were barely more than boys, but they protected our country and our freedom.

In that moment, I saw the Declaration of Independence all over again.

A nation worth fighting for; a nation worth dying for; a nation worth living for.

[Alexandra Mezzina]

Congratulations! Wonderful story. We need to keep that generation alive in our national memory.

[Jane Mulloy]

Thank you to everyone who sent me congratulatory messages. I am very excited to have won and look forward to meeting Scott and going to the game.

[Jane Mulloy]

Thanks for sharinb your story Jay. It seems to me that you were doing your part even though you didn't enter the service. My husband was in the Air Force during the last 4 years of the Viet Nam war, and fortunately did not see combat. God Bless.

[Jaye Strait]

Dear Jane:
I so respect your family. God bless you and yours. If I may share my story with you. Reading your essay brings me back to my youth during the Viet Nam war. It was a very unpopular war as you know. I was but 16 and my older brother 20 in Viet Nam with USMC. Here at home, I had to do my duty too and register for the draft. I like all the boys in my school was scared to leave home for war. Many of those boys encouraged by the anti-war movement avoided the draft. I always understood it was my duty and was willing to go. In the meanwhile I worked at H&R in Worcester, Mass. making M16's for the war effort. I was proud of my job. I though I was helping my brother and our soilders over there. Hundreds of our boys every week would die never to return. The war was soon to end and my brother came home. Afterwards I never went into the military. It is the greatest regret of my life. My best friend went into USAF as an officer then, and just retired last year as a Full Bird Coronel. I'm so proud of him and everyone who serves in our armed forces. My regret is I never served the nation I love so much and stood with the likes of my brother my best friend and those American Patriots in 1775. If I could live it all over I would not miss my chance again.

Jaye Strait

[Mary Capizzi]

Very nice Jane, congratulations!

[William F. Swiggart]

Well worth the price for the fun of writing my own essay, and to read this winning one. Enjoy the game!

[Lorraine M Schratz]

Congratulations, Jane! Very nice piece! Enjoy the game & the company of our senator. :)

[Deirdre Reilly]

Awesome, Jane. This deserved to win. Have fun at the game!

[Phil Tympanick]

Though I submitted and entry, I think this one should win. Awesome post!