Independance Day...

I was raised in an Air Force family. The first 15 years of my life were spent living on or near Air Force bases in several different countries. We were taught the concepts of honor, duty, patriotism and love of country from a very young age. Those lessons and feelings have not diminished over the years. Now I find myself trying to teach them to MY children.

Growing up, we attended air shows and parades on the various bases where we lived. It was something I really enjoyed. Moving to Prescott Valley gave me a chance to recapture that feeling as we attended the small-town parades there. I loved how everyone got involved, and had a good time. Even the smallest entries were cheered and applauded. None louder or with more feeling than the color-guard presenting the American Flag.

This past weekend, we attended the Lehi Rodeo-days parade.



Like a parade from the past, the entries marched right down Main Street.



Leading the way was the color-guard presenting the flag. Following them was the local National Guard band, in cammi-uniforms. Everyone stood with their hands over their hearts while the flag passed. Then everyone cheered those soldiers in the band. It was wonderful.

The theme for the parade was "Oh what if..." The rest of that sentence provided the basic concepts for each entry. I have never seen such clever, creative ideas...

Here are a few samples...





I LOVED the flying piggies...

The guy on top of the stagecoach was singing the Willy Nelson song "Pancho and Lefty" I liked the "country/western feel of it.



This next one is for the Wizard of Oz fans among us.... ...and our little dogs, too. haha





What would a small-town parade be without the local cheerleaders?



Only in an L.D.S. community...



The missionaries went by singing "We'll Bring the World His Truth"...That was pretty cool.



All this just brought home to me why we are so blessed to live in this great country. We have the freedom to choose how we worship and what we believe, or not to worship at all. We have the right and responsibility to choose how we are governed. Those who founded this nation gave us a precious gift. So as we enjoy the freedom to have a parade and watch the fireworks, I hope we'll take a moment to ponder that gift and honor those who gave it to us. I hope we'll pause to remember those who have lived and died to maintain that freedom we celebrate. I hope we will all take a moment to send our pleas to Heaven to keep those who are still defending our freedom, out of harm's way, and express our gratitude for their sacrifice. I am grateful everyday, that I am an American and that I get to live here. In the end, all I can say is:

God Bless America...land of the free, home of the brave.