I have very fond memories of Independence Day celebrations throughout my life. My father is one of the most patriotic people I've ever known so he made sure we knew WHY we were celebrating. As a child, no Fourth of July event would be complete without Dad opening up the television section of the newspaper to check the movie listings.
As one who loves old movies, Dad thought the movie, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, pretty much summed up the reason for our celebration. I'm sure I've seen that movie over 20 or 30 times in my life. But it's always meant so much to my father that I'd gladly sit down anytime he'd like and watch it again today.
My father was a country boy who graduated from Middleton High School in 1944. He was the first in his immediate family to have a shot at going to college. His college career at UT Martin lasted all of six weeks due to a telegram he received one day from Uncle Sam.
Almost a year later he wound up in the Phillipines as part of what was to be the American invading force of Japan. On his 19th birthday, August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first of two atomic bombs on Japan, eventually ending the war. Though there was great loss of life, Dad said many more lives would have been lost had the U.S. been forced to invade. Instead of invasion, he became part of the American occupying force in Japan following World War II.
My father and others like him, who have served their country, no doubt have an even great appreciation for the freedom we enjoy. Let's never take it for granted.
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