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USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Camp Run-A-Muck ~ WooHoo! ~ JULY 4, 2003
My "voices", "kitty-katz", Radix, & LindaSOG

Posted on 07/04/2003 4:03:00 AM PDT by tomkow6

 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.
 
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 

 

 

We suspend our (my) usual craziness at Camp-Run-Muk today!

For for the very First Time, ALL my "voices" are in agreement!!

 

Today is the birthday of OUR great nation!

It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

The Fourth of July celebration is the main summer festival. It is a time when most families get together (other than Christmas) because the kids are out of school, and for most the weather is nice.  The Fourth of July was the date that our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence  by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1776.

Americans just celebrated this event for centuries on their own.  But in 1941, Congress finally established the Fourth of July (Independence Day) as a legal holiday.

Now, many have said that the Congress actually approved it on July 2, or August 2, the date they really did sign the document. So why the 4th?  That was the day the final draft of the Declaration was finished for the August 2nd signing.  Confused?  They approved the entire idea on July 2, with a rough outline.  But on July 4 they actually had their finished drafted after a lot of discussion and ratified it.  And it takes a while for everyone to get it signed (remember we didn't have fax machine then!), so that was done on August 2.

It was John Adams who wrote his wife and said that the event should be celebrated with pomp and circumstance, parades, shows, games and other stuff.  Was he ahead of his time?  What he described is the Fourth of July Celebration as we know it today.



The first official 4th of July party was in 1777 ( a year later) in Philadelphia.  Warships along the docks fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 states.  The soldiers who were in the area, paraded through the streets.  

By 1788, the 4th of July celebration also commemorated the U.S. Constitution as well, which was recently approved by 10 out of the 13 states.  That year was the first 4th of July parade, with horse-drawn floats, one of which was a huge eagle carrying the Justices of the US Supreme Court.

In 1790, the nation's capitol moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.  President Thomas Jefferson celebrated the 4th of July by opening the White House to guests.  This custom continued under other presidents as well, until the British burnt the White House in 1814.

Another memorable 4th of July was one held in 1865 on a battlefield at Gettysburg;  at the end of the Civil War with a procession of black salves parading through the streets of Richmond, Virginia in 1866;  and a Bi-centennial celebration in New York City on July 4, 1976.

The Fourth of July today is a day most Americans stop to celebrate their freedom, appreciate their country, pay respect to those that died to protect us and fly the flag or display it's red, white and blue colors in any fashion they choose.  The Fourth of July usually a combination of our other patriotic holidays:  Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veteran's Day rolled into one.  Although some Americans also celebrate those separately from The Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July was extremely popular in the early 1900's and became more  popular at the end of each war.  It became more of a family or church picnic time in the 1950's.  Then the 1960's came and the Vietnam Conflict caused such a division in this country that many just did not feel like celebrating.  And then around the 1980's, for some reason America went through this phase of civil liberties, affirmative action and so with the removal of The Pledge of Allegiance out of the schools, in some cases so went the flag from the schools.  And there was this stigma created by a small group that it was simply uncool to show patriotism.  Why I am not sure.

But with the Bi-Centennial,  and the Statue of Liberty rennovation celebrations, patriotism has slowly come back into the hearts of the American people.  

However, the terrorism attack on the United States on September 11, 2001 was like a shot in Uncle Sam's arm.  Suddenly, we were all one nation and we were all "proud to be an American" and nothing was going to stop us from showing it. Flags sold out in stores within days after 9-11-2001. Patriotic clothing, knick knacks, jewelry, could not be made fast enough.

But the Fourth of July hasn't always been considered a patriotic time in some areas of the United States.  There are *some* African Americans who celebrate "Juneteenth" on June 19, the day in 1865 when the news that the slaves had been freed finally reached Galveston, Texas by ship because they feel that the celebration of freedom on July 4 is for "white American's" only and not theirs to share.

And some very intense women's groups use this day to point out that "All men are created equal" eliminates half the country's population = females!  

And in some native American indian tribes, they celebrate with pow wows and feasts to pay respect to their own ancestors rather than our nation's forefathers.

For some people the Fourth of July is a day of whimsy. In Maine on July 3rd it is customary for pulling pranks like stealing outhouses or removing porch steps.  

But most people celebrate the 4th with family picnics, church gatherings, community parades and fireworks displays at night. 
Some states have banned all fireworks for public use.
Other states have not.  Whatever state you live in, please be careful when dealing with fireworks.  

It can also be a terrible time for pets who have a hard time dealing with the noise of firecrackers.

Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence died on July 4, 1826  at noon in his home in Virginia.  The day he died was the 50th anniversary of the document's signing.

Ironically, John Adams of Massachusetts who supported the Declaration of Independence and is also the father of President John Quincy Adams died just a few hours later on the same day, July 4, 1826.

Fireworks

The term fireworks didn't come about until 1777 when the first Fourth of July celebration took place.  Before that, they were simply called "rockets."  Because they were more visual than anything, they called them "fireworks."   Later on, the ones that were made for noise (and not beauty) were called "fire crackers."  And in 1880  "sparklers" were created.  What child hasn't held a sparkler in their hand?  If not, those are long thin wands that spit out bursts of sparks in waterfall-style patterns.

In the Middle Ages, they had "firemasters" who designed and put on elaborate fireworks displays for military victories, religious festivals and crowning of kings and queens.  Because this became so popular, by the 1700's they needed help, and so the assistants were known as "wild men" or "green men" because they wore caps made of green leaves.

They were much like jesters, flitting among the crowds telling stories, jokes and warning people to stand back.  Then they would set off the fireworks with lighted sticks called "fire clubs."  This was a dangerous job and many "green men" were injured or killed when a firecracker mis-fired or didn't shoot high enough in the air to be safe.

When fireworks came to America they were used for both domestic and public celebrations.  By 1870, American companies were marketing fireworks for private use by renaming them Roman Candles, Flying Dragons, Sun Wheels and Prismatic Fountains.  And the popularity of the "at home in your backyard" fireworks fun meant many people didn't have to deal with huge crowds to enjoy them.  But, it meant they had to pay for them, whereas the public displays were usually paid for by the town and free to view.  Fireworks are NOT legal in my state and, although they CAN be purchased in neighboring states, IMHO they are not cheap!

Only 35 states as of right now have fireworks legal for the public to use.  The other 15 states make it illegal totally. And in the case of *some* states, they allow only certain kinds of fireworks to be legal.  All states since 1966 have banned Cherry Bombs and other large firecrackers due to the large number of injuries.

Although sold in America, most of them are made in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

I (& my "voices") think we need alot of FLAGS!

PARADES!

DC0145M

AND our NATIONAL ANTHEM:

Compliments of Mr. Radix!

The "Other" Stanzas:

On the shore dimly seen throughout the mists of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes 
What is that which the breeze o'er the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam 
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream. 
`Tis the Star-Spangled Banner,
Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

And where is that band who so hauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood was washed out their foul foot steps pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh thus be it e'er when free men shall stand
Between their lov'd homes and war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land 
Praise the Pow'r that has made and presrv'd us a nation
And conquer we must when our cause is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

OK, me & my "voices" will get off the soapbox now....

I LOVE this country, no matter WHAT party is in control.

This is MY country, the USA!

 

WARNING! 

Pancakes are BANNED from CAMP!

Killer on duty!

My "kitty katz" have been authorized to use DEADLY FORCE to enforce this rule!

hehehehehehhe!

NO PANCAKES!

Time for the  Picnic to begin!

Happy Birthday, AMERICA!

 


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: michaeldobbs
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Woo Hoo!! Pilot time!!!

Have a great time with your Bandon brothers today.

121 posted on 07/04/2003 3:28:45 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: MoJo2001
Thank you MoJo!

I can't imagine the work it took to line up all the music ( er ah live bands) you have here today at the Canteen.

Hurry back for some partying. I can't go watch the fireworks, too many animals here to keep from freaking out with the bangity bang bang going on.

Have fun.

Wild Thing

122 posted on 07/04/2003 3:29:43 PM PDT by Wild Thing (Support our Troops and the IDF or get out of the way ! The Troops ROCK !!!!)
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To: Wild Thing
(whispering - Oops, you are right. Shame on me for forgetting what day it isn't.) It's the first time I've had those round flat things in months. LOL!
123 posted on 07/04/2003 3:36:06 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: tomkow6
Thank you all of our military so very much, for giving my family, since 1890, our Freedom and our safety!

On a side note, please go to this link:
Post # 63 RIP Barry White

124 posted on 07/04/2003 3:48:30 PM PDT by JustPiper (Condi & Elder for 2008' !!!)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Wild Thing; tomkow6; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LindaSOG; LaDivaLoca; ...
I hope I'm not leaving anyone out because I'm sure enjoying all the wonderful 4th of July graphics posted today by Tonk's "harem"!!!

Did anyone just see Brit Hume interview Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys? One of the most touching interviews I've seen in a long time!

Joe's written a book about his parents:
G. I. Joe & Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty

Barbara Bush wrote the book introduction. His parents married 5 days after they met! -- at a VA hospital: His father'd been injured at Normandy; his mother was a Cpl., helping oversee transport of injured soldiers from Europe to treatment centers in the US. (I apologize if I'm not historically accurate in any of my descriptions here; I'm going from memory.) ... The interview was truly a wonderful tribute to our armed forces on this proud day; Joe's book sounds like it's a wonderful tribute to his parents.
125 posted on 07/04/2003 3:52:17 PM PDT by Fawnn (I think therefore I'm halfway there....)
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To: MoJo2001
Hi MoJo. Been good so far. We just finished supper. Hope your weekend is great.
126 posted on 07/04/2003 3:56:29 PM PDT by Aeronaut ("The wicked are always surprised to find nobility in the good.")
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To: Fawnn
I saw the interview. It was inspirational. I am going to look for the book.
127 posted on 07/04/2003 3:57:37 PM PDT by Aeronaut ("The wicked are always surprised to find nobility in the good.")
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To: Wild Thing
BRATT!

128 posted on 07/04/2003 4:02:22 PM PDT by tomkow6 (........If a Tag Line lost it's line, would it just be a tag?........................)
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To: Fawnn
I forgot that today was Friday! Fortunately I'm taping! Thanks for the reminder, Fawnn. I thot I wrote myself a note about the Oak Ridge Boys, but it's at a different computer. I'm on my way downstairs right now to check it out. Joe's book sounds like I need to get it. I know he has written at least one book about his cats.
129 posted on 07/04/2003 4:03:03 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: tomkow6
The National Flag The National Flag of the United States of America, which is also the Ensign and the Merchant Flag, is known as "The Star-Spangled Banner", "Old Glory", or the "Stars and Stripes". The stars, white on blue, in the canton, represent the number of States forming the Union; this is now fifty, in nine alternate rows of six and five. The thirteen red and white stripes in the fly represent the original states from which the Union grew.

The U. S. Jack, sometimes called the "Union" and sometimes even the "Union Jack", is identical with the canton. The Warship Pennant bears seven stars, white on blue, at the head; for the rest of its length it is divided horizontally, red over white, and it ends in a long "swallow-tail".

The display of the Stars and Stripes is strictly regulated by the Flag Code. (See U.S. Flag Etiquette for some guidelines of the Code.) Except where for special reasons, as at the Capital, it is kept flying day and night, it is flown only during the hours of daylight. Solely as a signal of dire distress is it to be inverted, and no other flag, except during Divine Service, the Naval Church Pennant (a blue Latin Cross placed horizontally on a white field), may be flown above it. When the National flag is ceremonially paraded or hoisted or lowered, all present must face it and stand to attention: those in uniform salute, others place the right hand over the heart, men holding the hat in the right hand. Foreigners, however, should stand to attention. On suitable occasions the Pledge to the Flag is to be repeated:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The Origin of The Stars and Stripes
When the American colonists rose in armed protest against the British Government, the emblem they first adopted signified both their unity and the loyalty, which they still retained towards the Mother Country. Their Great Union Flag, also known as the Congress Flag and the Cambridge Flag, bore thirteen red and white stripes, but the contemporary British Union Flag formed its canton. This was similar to the flag of the East India Company, but whether it was deliberately adopted from this is unknown. When, however, the Americans decided on a complete severance from Britain, they needed a new flag to symbolize their independence. While retaining the thirteen stripes in the fly, they replaced the Union in the canton by "thirteen stars white on a blue field representing a new constellation".
.
The exact arrangement of the stars in the first American Flag is uncertain, but it is reputed to have been a circle so that one should have no precedence over the other

As new States were admitted to the Union, the number of Stars and Stripes was increased accordingly, and during the second Anglo-American war the flag displayed fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. It was the sight of this "Star-Spangled Banner" still flying, after a night's bombardment, over fort McHenry "in the dawn's early light" which led Francis Scott Key to compose what became the National Anthem of the United States. The increase in the number of stripes threatened however to destroy the flag's effectiveness. So, in 1818, congress decided to revert to the original thirteen stripes but to indicate the admission of a new State by displaying an additional white star in the canton.

Flags of the Confederate States
During the Civil War the Southern Confederacy adopted a new flag which, while differing markedly from the Stars and Stripes, still generally resembled it in design. The Stars and Bars bore in its blue canton a circle of seven white stars symbolizing the first States to secede from the Union, but merged the red and white of the fly into a bold tricolor. This flag was found to resemble the Stars and Stripes too closely, and was therefore replaced by an emblem, which retained the traditional American colors but arranged them very differently. The Southern Cross, the Confederate Battle Flag, displayed thirteen white stars on a blue saltire, fimbriated in white, on a red field. As this could not be inverted in case of need as a flag of distress, it laer formed the canton of a flag with a white field; then, lest this be mistaken for a flag of truce, a broad red stripe was added down its fly. The original Southern Cross is still used, unofficially, as the "Flag of the South".

The President's Standard
The standard of the President of the United States is dark blue and bears, with in a circle of stars, one for each state, a replica of the design on the Presidential Seal. The American Eagle is shown with its head turned towards its right talon, which holds an olive branch, while the left talon holds a bundle of arrows - the emblems of peace and war. Above and beside the head are thirteen white stars, representing the Founder States of the Union, and a scroll bears the motto E Pluibus Unum, " One out of Many".

130 posted on 07/04/2003 4:04:31 PM PDT by JustPiper (Condi & Elder for 2008' !!!)
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To: MoJo2001
Diva I did not know until now. This is a sad day.
131 posted on 07/04/2003 4:06:16 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Happy Fourth of July TROOPS!~ Thank you for protecting our freedom!~)
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To: Wild Thing
Thank you Wild Thing.
132 posted on 07/04/2003 4:08:32 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Happy Fourth of July TROOPS!~ Thank you for protecting our freedom!~)
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To: tomkow6
Happy Birthday
 
The United States of America 1776
 
 
 

 
Look it up
 
 
One entry found for patriotism.
 
Main Entry: pa·tri·ot·ism
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&-"ti-z&m, chiefly British 'pa-
Function: noun
Date: circa 1726
: love for or devotion to one's country

133 posted on 07/04/2003 4:13:50 PM PDT by Radix (Pancakes.)
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To: Fawnn
Hi Fawnn, I missed seeing it.Big boo hoo!
The Oak Ridge Boys are so good I would have loved to see it.The other day I heard them singing a new song they have out supporting our troops and America.

Good to see you.

Wild Thing

134 posted on 07/04/2003 4:18:52 PM PDT by Wild Thing (Support our Troops and the IDF or get out of the way ! The Troops ROCK !!!!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Kathy,

Have been watching the CD you sent me, I can do that much on WIDOWS! Oh wonderful CD, too. Thanks so much.
135 posted on 07/04/2003 4:23:51 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Happy Fourth of July TROOPS!~ Thank you for protecting our freedom!~)
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To: tomkow6
giggle that be me ! LOL


136 posted on 07/04/2003 4:30:18 PM PDT by Wild Thing (Support our Troops and the IDF or get out of the way ! The Troops ROCK !!!!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
That little boat, called Coastie is so cute Kathy.

Wild Thing

137 posted on 07/04/2003 4:34:32 PM PDT by Wild Thing (Support our Troops and the IDF or get out of the way ! The Troops ROCK !!!!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
 
U.S. Army Soldiers of the 2nd 501st. Aviation Regiment line for bbq imported steaks on the Fourth of July holiday at their air base at the Baghdad International Airport, Friday, July 4, 2003, in Baghdad.
 
 
 
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger, on a USO tour to bring his latest movie, ``Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines''to the troops in Kuwait and Iraq, greets a soldier being treated at the the Army field hospital in Balad, Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2003.
 
 
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger, on a USO Tour to see U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait, arrives at Bagdad International Airport in Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2003. Troops joined Schwarzenegger at the airport to watch the muscle-bound actor's latest movie, ``Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.'' Schwarzenegger addressed a rambunctious crowd of soldiers in one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces near the airport. 'It is really wild driving around here, I mean the poverty, and you see there is no money, it is disastrous financially and there is the leadership vacuum, pretty much like in California right now,'' he quipped.
 
 
 
U.S. Army soldiers from the 4th Battalion 64th Armor Combat Team wrestle in Lake Habaniyah near their base camp in Habaniyah, Iraq Friday, July 4, 2003. The battalion held a beach party to celebrate Independence Day. At center left is Pfc. Harrison Grimes from Monrovia, Liberia and at center right Spc. Travis Hunt from St. Louis, MO.
 
 
 
U.S. Army Soldiers of the 2nd 501st. Aviation Regiment kick a hacky sack on the Fourth of July holiday at their air base at the Baghdad International Airport, Friday, July 4, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq
 
 
 
 
Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks with U.S. Army troops at Al Garel Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, July 4,
2003.
 
 

 
U.S. Army Soldiers of the 2nd 501st. Aviation Regiment line for BBQ imported steaks as one squints from the smoke during the Fourth of July celebrations at their air base at the Baghdad International Airport, Friday, July 4, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq.
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Army Soldiers Spcl. Davelon Cain, 24 years old, of Fort Worth, Texas, left, and PFS Michael Rogers, 19 years old, of Burlington, North Carolina, cheer on a friend during a talent show during the Fourth of July holiday at their air base at the Baghdad International Airport, Friday, July 4, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq.
 
 
 
Soldiers of the 507, 1st Armoured Division, take their full plates during an Independence Day BBQ, in the garden of the former Presidential Palace of toppled leader Saddam Hussein in the centre of Baghdad.

138 posted on 07/04/2003 4:36:09 PM PDT by Radix (The USA is the World. The World outside don't like it, but it ain't less so because of their opinion)
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To: bentfeather
I'm glad. I couldn't have the mouse traveling alone, could I?
139 posted on 07/04/2003 4:36:43 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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To: larryjohnson
Happy 4th of July in text to you, Larry. Bright and sunny here. Hope the same for you.
140 posted on 07/04/2003 4:40:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protect Her)
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