I certainly enjoyed earlier this month with all the Fourth of July celebrations and especially the fireworks. The fireworks are a few of things of my childhood that I really enjoy along with cotton candy, candy apples and merry go rounds. 

 

After I had enjoyed at least three evenings of fireworks, I came home and thought about the Fourth and the reason for this celebration. It immediately brought back memories of my American History class at Roosevelt-Wilson High School. I cannot remember the exact year, but I do remember having to memorize the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. A preamble serves two purposes. It acts as a declaration summary and to set the stage by defining the philosophy that was used to compose the body of the Declaration of Independence. 

 

As I watched the last night of fireworks my mind wondered to the content of the Preamble, and sure enough, I remembered it. So just in case you never had to memorize it I am going to include it here and hope it will mean as much to you as it does to me. It was written in 1776 and goes this way:

 

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

 

Sixty years ago in high school I did not comprehend just exactly what these words meant.  But today I have a good understanding of the philosophy of this Preamble and our Declaration of Independence. The rights of Life, Liberty and Happiness should certainly be enjoyed by all of us. 

 

The Fourth of July can mean more to us than fireworks, picnics and family celebrations. 

 

If you have not been on vacation yet I want to wish you a safe one. Remember to include some spots in West Virginia to visit. We have a beautiful state and you really need to take time to explore it. The Clarksburg Visitors Bureau on Third Street in Clarksburg and the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau at Charles Pointe will have many brochures and maps that can help you plan.

 

Have a safe summer and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."

 

Editor's Note: Photo by Theo Frick of www.benqueenphotography.com.