A God Blessed America (5 of 11)
Series: Patriotic and Special Occasions
Roger Thomas
Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 14:34
Introduction: It just doesn't seem like the Fourth of July without all the fireworks and festivities. I know. I will never forget the Fourth of July we spent where nobody else celebrated. No parades. No parties. No fireworks. It just didn't seem right.
Of course, there was a good reason. Rose and I were in Canada on that particular Fourth of July. We had just started a month long camping adventure up the Alaska Highway for our 25th wedding anniversary. We had crossed from Montana into Alberta. Late in the afternoon on July 1, we pulled into a municipal campground in High River, just south of Calgary. I was surprised to see the remnants of a parade from earlier in the day and posters for a big fireworks display that night. Did Canada operate on a different calendar? I didn't have a clue. I soon learned that July 1 is Canada Day, their version of our Independence Day. That's when they celebrate their birthday, not ours. At dusk we made our way to another park and watched the fireworks.
We spent the next two days sightseeing in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta and home of the world's biggest mall. On the Fourth of July, we set up camp in a rainstorm at Dawson Creek British Columbia, the starting point of the 1500 mile long Alcan Highway. I was thoroughly disappointed. July 4 came and went. It was just like any other day for all those Canadians. Go figure! Eh!
Even for Americans, the Fourth of July can be just another day off. We easily forget the reason for the celebration. The real purpose fades into the background behind the parades and picnics. Younger kids could think that the Fourth is really fireworks day. Most adults know better.
Let me remind you-tomorrow is America's birthday. On July 4, 1776, fifty-six American leaders signed the Declaration of Independence separating the thirteen British colonies from England. That was 229 ...
Series: Patriotic and Special Occasions
Roger Thomas
Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 14:34
Introduction: It just doesn't seem like the Fourth of July without all the fireworks and festivities. I know. I will never forget the Fourth of July we spent where nobody else celebrated. No parades. No parties. No fireworks. It just didn't seem right.
Of course, there was a good reason. Rose and I were in Canada on that particular Fourth of July. We had just started a month long camping adventure up the Alaska Highway for our 25th wedding anniversary. We had crossed from Montana into Alberta. Late in the afternoon on July 1, we pulled into a municipal campground in High River, just south of Calgary. I was surprised to see the remnants of a parade from earlier in the day and posters for a big fireworks display that night. Did Canada operate on a different calendar? I didn't have a clue. I soon learned that July 1 is Canada Day, their version of our Independence Day. That's when they celebrate their birthday, not ours. At dusk we made our way to another park and watched the fireworks.
We spent the next two days sightseeing in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta and home of the world's biggest mall. On the Fourth of July, we set up camp in a rainstorm at Dawson Creek British Columbia, the starting point of the 1500 mile long Alcan Highway. I was thoroughly disappointed. July 4 came and went. It was just like any other day for all those Canadians. Go figure! Eh!
Even for Americans, the Fourth of July can be just another day off. We easily forget the reason for the celebration. The real purpose fades into the background behind the parades and picnics. Younger kids could think that the Fourth is really fireworks day. Most adults know better.
Let me remind you-tomorrow is America's birthday. On July 4, 1776, fifty-six American leaders signed the Declaration of Independence separating the thirteen British colonies from England. That was 229 ...
There are 13244 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
