People in Superior reflected today on what the anniversary of the nation’s independence means to them. For some people, the Fourth of July is all about the four “F’s”: family, friends, fireworks and food. But, 64 year-old Penny Johnson of Superior said the day is all about freedom.
“To me it means freedom, for everybody. To enjoy that we do have that privilege,” she said.
Twenty year-old Karlie Matson of Superior said it’s a time to celebrate and remember “that together as a country and as friends and family that we can just do anything that we want to do.”
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Sixty-two year-old Robin Lundquist of Superior said the nation wouldn’t be able to enjoy that freedom without those who have served.
“We can’t forget about our service people,” she said. “And, I think in this society today, it’s more of the celebrating the fireworks – the partying. It’s truly not about that.”
Lundquist recalled a time when no shops or restaurants were open to recognize the importance of the day and celebrate it with loved ones.
Twenty-one year-old Jenna Salomaki of Superior said the holiday should serve as a reminder of, not only the nation’s independence, but the American people’s duty to honor a legacy of uniting for the common good.
“We should focus more on being unified, because it’s more of a, ‘everyone fighting for themselves’ kind of deal out there,” she said. “I think people should get together more instead of saying that we are different.”
For the Founding Fathers, the day marked a time to declare not only the nation’s independence, but the rights that all men are entitled to: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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