‘Freedom isn’t free’
July 4th sparks time of memories, family fun
Heading into the sparklers and spectacles of Fourth of July celebrations, there was time for the DeSoto County “family” to reflect on the meaning of Inde- pendence Day.
“Cherish our hardwon rights as citizens; freedom isn’t free,” noted DeSoto Board of Supervisors president Mark Gardner of Southaven as county work- ers and others across the area made holiday plans. The board this week voted to add Friday as a day off to county employees.
Before leading the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting in Hernando earlier this week, Gardner read “The American’s Creed,” written in 1918 — while World War I was raging — by William Tyler Page, a descendant of the 10th president of the United States, John
Tyler. Page, of Maryland, later served as clerk of the U.S. House.
“I believe in the United States of America as government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable,” read Gardner, and one based on “principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.”
The creed ends with a vow of duty “to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag and defend it against all enemies.”
Supervisor Lee Caldwell of Nesbit said she’ll be “honoring God for our freedoms” as she enjoys a family gathering for the holidays. Wednesday was decorating day.
“Daniel, our son who works at a camp for terminally ill children, also will be coming home for a visit and his 21st birthday,” Caldwell said of the University of Mississippi senior.
Another son, Cannon, who just graduated from Ole Miss, will be departing soon — for the Marines. His dad, John Caldwell, recently retired as a Marine Reserve colonel.
“You know, my husband was an artillery officer, and we collect ‘cannons,’” quipped Caldwell. Actually, they do have a collection, including one in their yard. “We don’t fire it, because it would hit the neighbors,” she joked. “Actually, it’s made of concrete.”
Serious again, she noted that Cannon’s grandfather — John’s father — was a Marine veteran of Saipan and Iwo Jima during World War II.
“I remember when he saluted the flag, he’d tear up,” said Lee Caldwell. “I believe it was because he knew so many who had made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Fireworks and patriotic events, outdoor activities and the great American pastime also are on holiday weekend agendas to mark the nation’s 237th birthday.
“I’ll be at the golf course at Back Acres in Senatobia for the fireworks,” said county administrative assistant Gia Matheny, whose husband, Buck, is the golf pro there. “I’m so thankful to have that extra day off.”
County comptroller Tom Arnold says he welcomes “just a quiet day at home.”
“I’ll be fly fishing” on the White River in Arkansas, said co-worker Robin Lambert.
Jeannie Colvin, an executive administrative assistant for the county, plans to go with friends to see fireworks fly over Pickwick Lake in West Tennessee, “go to Jackson, Tenn., and eat at Dumplin’s, and then come back for a Redbirds game in Memphis.”
Caldwell said that amid all the fun she looks forward to with friends and family, the hard work and struggles of forebears comes to mind.
“Just think of the bravery of the people who settled and founded this country,” said Caldwell, who also proudly counts Native American — Cherokee — ancestry. “They didn’t know what they’d be