This year was a very fun 4th of July, starting on the 3rd. Just these past few years, Rigby has started it's own Freedom Celebration. So that they don't have to compete with the amazing Melaleuca fireworks (which I will get to in a minute), they do it on the 3rd. All of the crazy boys in our neighborhood hop on their 4-wheelers and ride over to Rigby Lake, while the rest of us cram into as little amount of carspace as possible. It's a lot of fun because it is so close, doesn't require a lot of planning, and the traffic isn't bad. This year was really special for me because it was last fourth of July when I was sitting there pregnant longing for this year to come when I could enjoy this special day with McKenzie.
On July 4th we started the day by going to the Rexburg Parade where Hannah Niles and Lexi Hepworth danced in the parade. This year didn't seem to be as hot and uncomfortable as last year was, so it was a lot of fun. Although they didn't have the dancing carwash boys this year, they had a lot of fun tractors, tanks, dancing, food, candy, etc.
Later that day we decided to see what Menan did on the 4th of July so we headed out to Mi-Anis as Scott kept calling it. Don't ask me why he thinks that sounds like Menan, but ask anybody who was there, Scott thought it was pretty fun to say it over and over and over..... again. This didn't end up being much fun mostly because we were all hot and tired and needed some relaxing. So, we came home, relaxed for a little bit and got ready for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.
The Melaleuca Celebration starts out with good food, proceeds with a music program, which is actually somewhat obnoxious, and then ends with by far, the best firework show I have ever seen. It was such a neat experience to be sitting there with all my family (except Whitney), most of Scott's family, friends, neighbors, and especially my little family and ponder upon the wonderful blessings and freedom I enjoy. A week before the fourth of July I was getting ready for church and heard a really neat story about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Since it touched me so deeply I wanted to have it in writing so I would always remember it, so here it is:
If you would permit me, may I quote?
“…And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Those words were not rhetoric for a speech for the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Of those 56 men who signed it, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died; twelve had their homes sacked, looted, and occupied by the enemy.
For example, Thomas Nelson Jr. at the Battle of Yorktown had his home taken over by the British General Cornwallis. Nelson quietly urged General Washington to open fire on the home anyway. It was destroyed. Nelson died a pauper.
Nine of the signers died in that war, and two lost their sons to it.
Carter Braxton, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas. He died in rags.
Thomas KcKeen was forced to move his family five times in five months to hide from his enemies. While his family hid from the British in abject poverty, McKeen served in Congress without pay – oh, for men like that today!
Francis Lewis’ home and possessions were seized, and his wife imprisoned where she died a short time later.
And perhaps the most touching story of all is of the signer John Hart, who was driven from his wife’s bedside as she lay dying. Their thirteen children had to flee for their lives as well. For over a year Hart lived in caves and in the forest. After the surrender, he returned to find his wife dead, his children gone – thirteen children, and every one of them vanished! John Hart died a few weeks later of a broken heart.” (Lund, The Freedom Factor, Deseret Book, 1987, p. 101)
And there were more – more stories of sacrifice and pain than I have time to tell.
I believe, my dear friends, that if the opportunity was given to us to face each of them and ask them if the price they paid was worth it, I believe there would be a unanimous and a resounding “Yes.”
It has been said that the single most important word in the English language is “Remember.” Oh, may God grant that every citizen in America will never forget the price that has been paid for our freedom.
Glenn Rawson – July 1998
“…And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Those words were not rhetoric for a speech for the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Of those 56 men who signed it, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died; twelve had their homes sacked, looted, and occupied by the enemy.
For example, Thomas Nelson Jr. at the Battle of Yorktown had his home taken over by the British General Cornwallis. Nelson quietly urged General Washington to open fire on the home anyway. It was destroyed. Nelson died a pauper.
Nine of the signers died in that war, and two lost their sons to it.
Carter Braxton, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas. He died in rags.
Thomas KcKeen was forced to move his family five times in five months to hide from his enemies. While his family hid from the British in abject poverty, McKeen served in Congress without pay – oh, for men like that today!
Francis Lewis’ home and possessions were seized, and his wife imprisoned where she died a short time later.
And perhaps the most touching story of all is of the signer John Hart, who was driven from his wife’s bedside as she lay dying. Their thirteen children had to flee for their lives as well. For over a year Hart lived in caves and in the forest. After the surrender, he returned to find his wife dead, his children gone – thirteen children, and every one of them vanished! John Hart died a few weeks later of a broken heart.” (Lund, The Freedom Factor, Deseret Book, 1987, p. 101)
And there were more – more stories of sacrifice and pain than I have time to tell.
I believe, my dear friends, that if the opportunity was given to us to face each of them and ask them if the price they paid was worth it, I believe there would be a unanimous and a resounding “Yes.”
It has been said that the single most important word in the English language is “Remember.” Oh, may God grant that every citizen in America will never forget the price that has been paid for our freedom.
Glenn Rawson – July 1998
1 comment:
Finally you posted some pics. I love the one of McKenzie on top! She is so cute :) I'm glad I taught her to wave! Tell Scott I really enjoyed going to My-Anis and thanks for letting us come celebrate with you guys!
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