Navigation LET FREEDOM RING
As our country recovers from a year long pandemic, it is nice to see some return to normalcy. Many of us will get to celebrate July 4th as we do every year: with fireworks, barbecues, concerts and parades, and hopefully with loved ones. For the over 600,000 Americans that lost their lives due to COVID-19, July 4th celebrations for their families may look very different. To each and every friend and family member, we send our heartfelt condolences.
As Americans, we celebrate the day the Declaration of Independence gave us the amazing freedoms that we have today. This year, we at Gardberg and Kemmerly hope that each of you are able to reflect on those freedoms and celebrate with friends and family. It is said that John Adams wanted all people to celebrate the day with “Pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.” However, John Adams is known to have turned down July 4th celebrations as he wanted the Declaration to be celebrated on July 2nd, not the 4th, as the 2nd was the actual day the Continental Congress voted for independence in 1776.
Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870, and the first July 4th celebration took place in 1801 at the White House by Thomas Jefferson. No matter your walk of life, your disabilities or abilities, take time this year to celebrate this great country and the independence we have. After a year of lock downs, absences, losses, sickness and trials, we hope you find, as John Adams said, some form of pomp and parade and illumination this year.
