July Fourth An Important Birthday

Half of 2012 has passed and where did the time go?

We can’t say that it washed away this year, can we? Oh, what we would give for 3 or 4 inches of the southeastern states’ 20 inches of rainfall.

Because of the dry weather, July 4 might be celebrated other than with fireworks.

Back when, we celebrated every year with homemade ice cream with friends and neighbors and maybe some fire crackers.

The Fourth is an important birthday — our nation’s 236th, so we celebrate our freedoms. The list is long of those who signed the Declaration of Independence, and others who fought for our freedom, but here are some relevant thoughts: Some Died For Freedom One mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Iraq?”

Another asked Harry Truman, “Why did my son have to die in Korea?”

Another asked F. D. R., “Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima?”

Another mother asked Woodrow Wilson, “Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?”

Yet another asked Abraham Lincoln, “Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?”

And yet another mother asked George Washington, “Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?”

Long, long ago, a mother asked, “Heavenly Father, why did my son have to die on a cross outside Jerusalem?” The answers to all these are similar — that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom. — Gilly Campbell Happy birthday next week to Ryan Pinkerton, Ralph Moore, Lahaya Bentley, Kimberly Lyons, Alicia Wofford, Cindy Sparkman, Emmalyn Johnson, Angila Bradley, Kevin Barenberg, Opal Carter, Danny Curtis, Eulimma Harvey and Gayle Watkins.

Happy anniversary to Ken and Marcie Ryan, their 60th on July 6; Kenny and Debbie Butler, their 39th on July 6; and Garland and Ann Smith, their 55th on July 6. Happy birthday, America! Remember recycling next Monday, July 9.