Welcome to my July 4th tribute site.  I have tried to put some interesting and useful information here to enhance your 4th of July.  My family, in America, goes back to at least the Civil War, with one member said to have been with the Union Army, and my father proudly served in the USAF and worked for the government in the 1960's.  I have had at least one other relative who was in a tank crew in the Korean War.  I love America.  I love my country.  Please bookmark this site and pass it on.  Come back year after year.  I will try to add things to the site as time goes on.  

The 4th of July has always been special around here.  My family has a lake house and I remember, as a kid, uncles going to get fireworks in neighboring states where they are legal and bringing them back.  The adults lit them, we watched.  It was fun. There was one time when we were holding Roman candles and one backfired down the sleeve of my sweatshirt and gave me a slight burn.  We never held them after that.  4th of July sparklers also hold a prominent place in my earliest summer memories. 

I won't go and buy illegal fireworks the way our uncles did.  Thankfully, there are people around the lake who buy large ones and fire them off.  Every night large pretty bursts are going off around the lake. This happens a few days before to a few days after.  Sometimes you see random night time bursts a week or two after.

It's always been heaven for foodies as well.  4th of July recipes are plentiful.  We get the cookouts and the tasty desserts.  We get to see cousins and uncles and aunts.  Thoughts of the 4th always remind me of these things.  Sometimes it's quiet when people have other commitments and can't visit with us, but the memories are always there.  The memories last forever.  4th of July celebrations, no matter what form they take, are planted in the minds of Americans and last forever in a special place in each of our hearts.

Make your own memories this 4th.  Make some memories which will last a lifetime!