Fourth of July has long been known as the holiday for barbeque, fireworks, friends and family, but this year Wellington’s city council members weigh in on what the holiday means to them.
Larry Shimer said he will be spending the Fourth of July like many of his constituents.
“Fireworks and family,” said Shimer of the holiday, “We always get together and relax by the pool. Ever since our kids were little it’s always been the time for us to get together and cook out and have fun,”
He says time should be spent for remembering the true meaning and blessing of freedom amongst time with family and friends.
“We really should think about it because there are some places that don’t have it,” said Shimer.
Council member Jim Valentine feels the patriotic pull. As a Vietnam veteran, he knows first hand what Independence Day is all about.
“People need to realize the reason they can celebrate the Fourth of July...Most people think it’s a right [to have freedom], but it’s a privilege. Freedom wasn’t only guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States, but it’s been backed,” said Valentine. “The fight against aggression in World War I, World War II, The Korean War and the Vietnam War...everything that the last generation did, the 70-somethings has brought us where we are and the reason we have the freedoms that we have now,”
“It’s more than just barbeques and going out to the lake and family get togethers, people need to realize that just like Memorial Day we need to understand how we’ve gotten these holidays and what they really really mean,” said Valentine.
A fellow council member agreed.
“It was an extreme battle for freedom, from tyranny...what it symbolizes is that lots of people gave everything so that we didn’t have to live under tyranny and to me I’ll take it in the true essence of what the holiday means,” said Cindy Antonich.
The time off from work, vacation get-aways and firecracker fun were all bought and paid for with American lives, she said.
“Being able to have our free speech and the freedoms that we have is something to reflect on,” Antonich said.
Fourth ward council member Terry Nunemaker says the holiday attests to the United States greatness.
“For me it’s about the greatness of this country and the people who have given us what we are benefiting from now that have sacrificed and in some cases died to give us our legacy of freedom and prosperity,” he said.
Terry Craig summed it up well.
“It’s being an American. It’s part of your heritage.” he said.
Wellington, Kan. —
