American Celebrations
Each year we celebrate American traditions but none is more important than celebrating our independence on July 4th each year. The sacrifices which individuals made in the past are making now and will make in the future in the service of our country should never be forgotten. Our freedoms are sometimes taken for granted as we have become used to them but the freedoms we have as individuals would not have been possible without the sacrifices of thousands of individuals. Yes thousands from the beginning of our country right up to today.
As we celebrate our independence each year our troops are still fighting in distant parts of the world. Some may question why we have our military in various locations but would you rather fight our enemies on their turf or on ours. Our military is one of the finest if not the finest in the world. The individuals who have chosen to join the ranks of the military have done so willingly. Some families have a history of several members joining the military ranks and to those families I extend a heartfelt thank you.
Recognizing the sacrifices of our military is not just about the Fourth of July celebrations it is also about remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day each year. Memorial Day is another tradition which is important for us as individuals to remember for it is a time to think about the freedoms we have and why we still have them. As stated in other articles I am a strong supporter of our military and those who support them. Many organizations and government entities have as their responsibility to support the needs of the military. Though it sometimes appears that Congress with their actions or inactions question military decisions I believe most if not all fully support the military and its needs. Veterans Day is another where we recognize those in the military today and those which have served in the past including those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Traditions seem to be a way of life in America and the traditions of recognizing and/or supporting the military is one which should never change. Other traditions are also important such as Labor Day and Thanksgiving. These are times when we take time in our own ways to honor working individuals and giving thanks for the things we have. On Labor Day, as on the Fourth of July many communities celebrate with fireworks. This type of celebration has also become a tradition as many of us attend such events.
The tradition of Thanksgiving goes back to the early days of our country when colonial settlers set down at the same table as what we consider Indians in an act of friendship. It has become much more today as it is a time to give thanks for the things we have. In these economic times it may be difficult for some individuals to give thanks given their circumstances but we must recognize as individuals what we can be thankful for in each of our circumstances.
Another tradition is celebrating the changing of the calendar to a new year. As individuals we celebrate this event differently but it is one which generates celebrations across the world. Dependent upon where you live the celebrations may be different but it is something that most if not all of us hope for a better year than the past. For some it may be better health while others it may be finding a job or better financial status.
While the traditions I have presented does not include all we celebrate as Americans they are ones which are celebrated by everyone for the most part. Other traditions may be limited to our religious preferences or personal decisions. Traditions is an activity which is embedded in our culture. Keeping traditions going is important to us as citizens as it is a measure of not only how far we have come but a measure of who we are as individuals and as a country. It is also important to point out that other countries also have traditions and theirs are just as important to them as the ones we celebrate.