Expressions of freedom: Activities on the Fourth of July in Cape range from historic re-enactments to protests

During a break from the roar of overworked engines and the crunch of smashing cars, Greg Priest had a few things to say about what Independence Day means to him and his family.

With four of his children -- Aaron and Josh, both 9, Bonnie, 5, and Jeremy, 7 -- and a 13-year-old nephew named Josh, Priest was taking in the demolition derby that was the daytime highlight of Cape Girardeau's July 4 celebration. "I really enjoy it," Priest said as he kept any eye on the children squirming in their seats. "I was afraid we weren't going to have anything."

But then, asked about what the day means to him, Priest turned serious. He said he teaches his children about Independence Day and the sacrifices that gave birth to the United States and the legacy of freedom they will inherit.

Hunter Ferrell, left, Tyler Haff and Hannah Ferrell walk together in Jackson City Park where their mothers took them for Independence Day activities Saturday. Their fathers are currently deployed with the U.S. military overseas. (Fred Lynch)

"America is about freedom," he said. "We need to be able to keep our freedom, and that is what my children are taught."

And throughout the area, freedom found expression in the enjoyment people take from the holiday, in the care historic re-enactors took with period costumes and in the sense of urgency in a group of more than 100 protesters who felt that they are fighting the same fight as the Founding Fathers.

At Arena Park, where the Joint Veterans Council put on a two-day "Celebrating America's Birthday" event after the cancellation of Libertyfest, the crowd for the demolition derby put organizer Rodger Brown at ease. With a full main grandstand, Brown said he can promise that veterans will sponsor the community celebration again next year. He also said he's received offers for help next year that will make the event bigger.

Several people sat in the shade across from the Arena Building while listening to speakers at a political protest tea party Saturday. (Fred Lynch)

"This is exactly what we had hoped for," Brown said. "The word is out -- people want to celebrate the Fourth of July."

While he's not sure the first-time event made a profit, Brown said "it is close enough that I don't have to leave town."

Brown, who is also president of the VietNow Trail of Tears chapter, said he has always been a patriot. Independence Day, he said, means more to him than the birthdays of his children or his wedding anniversary.

"Today is the day we compare ourselves to our forefathers and see if we are doing what they expect us to do," Brown said. "An enormous number of people died to give us freedom, and we owe them something."

The community celebrations in Cape Girardeau and Jackson were family-oriented parties. A car show, dance exhibition and musical concerts led up to the 9:30 p.m. start of the annual Jackson fireworks show in City Park.

For Jerry Burgess, it was an opportunity to show off his award-winning 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk, a car that has won prizes in national competition among owners of the long-defunct car label. The immaculate white car was owned by his wife, Mary Ann, when they married but sat for more than 20 years in the old Millersville general store. Now it is restored to its former glory and he loves to show it off.

"There's nothing like going to a car show on the Fourth," he said.

And Saturday's celebration was 7-year-old Alivia Tucker's first time on a horse. Her smiling parents, John and Kristin Tucker, watched her as she was walked around the ring at the pony ride at Jackson. Alivia picked where the family went for this year's celebration, John Tucker said. "She saw it in the paper," he said.

Asked how she liked the ride, Alivia was beaming. "It felt like I was back in time."

Rain interrupted events intermittently, almost stopping the look back in time at Fort D in Cape Girardeau before it began. Members of the Turner Brigade, a group of historic re-enactors, dressed in Civil War-era clothing -- wool uniforms for the men, hoop skirts with layers of petticoats for the women. But the rain stopped and visitors from Minnesota, Texas, Florida and Minnesota, among others, watched drills with artillery.

Gerald "Joe" Martin of Jackson and his wife, Mirian "Candy" Martin were among the re-enactors, he in a Union uniform and she in a cotton broadcloth dress and period hat. The Civil War, Mirian Martin said, was God's test of America. "God has a purpose for everything and God had a purpose for that," she said. "Sometimes battles are necessary for the rights we have today."

On the steps of the Arena Building, God was invoked as conservatives, angry over business bailouts and government spending, declared they will fight to restore the America they said has been lost. About 125 people attended the second "tea party" protest held in Cape Girardeau this year.

Bob Parker, a rancher from Texas County, announced to the group that he is exploring a challenge to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson in next year's election. "Some of the biggest threats to our country are not on foreign shores, but they are up there in the hallowed halls of Washington, D.C.," Parker said.

Parker, a former Republican county committeeman, said he wasn't ready to announce which party he would use to challenge Emerson, also a Republican.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent Addresses:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

Fort D Historic Site, Cape Girardeau, MO

City Park, Jackson, MO