Independence Day

This past Independence Day Weekend, I chose to spend the three days at home alone. This seems to come about as the years go by and we choose not to put on a swimsuit to enjoy the long weekend. Might be because most of us no longer have bikini bodies, but that is not the point.

Anyway, The evening of July 3 I found I was exhausted after a long, hot day outside. Coming to the house I decided that my choice of relaxation was a hot shower and a glass of ice tea. The lure of TV, Facebook, or the Internet didn’t even suffice. I chose to sit with my refreshing drink and listen to the radio, which was an excellent choice for me. KLTZ’s program at this hour was “Grassroots Gold” and it was recognizing our Independence holiday by playing a lot of Golden Oldies — songs written during our periods of war. Most of you reading this column would recognize most of the tunes and remember what war was in progress when the particular song was written.

As these songs were played, one after another, it was almost like being at one of the memorial sites in DC or in our own back yard, Fort Peck. It made me remember my history lessons, as well as the many young men and women that gave their lives for our freedom. Yes, my school history did cover all wars the US was involved in, both the good and the bad, and it makes me truly sad that so many of our younger generation do not get that schooling. We as the OLD generation need to remind our children and grandchildren that history can repeat itself and that it really is beneficial to and understand what led to our freedom and what has maintained it. This program ended with a song written by Canadian Gordon Sinclair titled “The Americans” What a tribute.