July 4- A time to celebrate our freedom

None of us who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free. -- Pearl S. Buck

Independence Day is Friday. Someone might be tempted to argue that at 227 years old -- with the new scars of terrorism and an ongoing war -- America is finally showing her age.

But if America's hair is starting to show even the slightest hint of gray and if her face has a wrinkle or two that weren't there a few years ago, it only adds character to an already beautiful face.

And on her birthday anniversary, more than ever, she should celebrate all she has accomplished and endured.

Friday will be a day to put all ideological debates aside, forget party differences and come together as one people to salute the birth of our great country.

There's nothing wrong with doing so with hot dogs and fireworks or maybe getting away from the rat race for a long weekend at the lake. Those things all include spending time with friends and family. What better way to celebrate freedom?

Think of it like this: You are free to do so. (There's that word again.)

But the Fourth of July also offers a time to remember those who fought to guarantee that we have so many freedoms that we take for granted. In years past, that may have been easier to disregard. But, in the past year, many of us were wringing our hands as our sons and daughters bravely fought an evil tyrant in Iraq, risking their lives for another nation's freedom.

That should make us cherish our own freedoms. We all remember a few months ago as we saw the joy on the faces of the Iraqi people as the statue of Saddam Hussein came crashing down in the streets of Baghdad. To them, the first taste of freedom was sweet.

Freedom has costs. We must honor those who gave their lives in the past year, as well as the thousands who have done so defending our freedom during the past 227 years. Those who truly comprehend the magnitude of that sacrifice do so daily.

It is also satisfying to have stories like John "Doc" Yallaly. We are going to take some time on Friday to celebrate a man who truly represents the spirit of America. The Southeast Missourian is presenting Yallaly with its first Spirit of America Award in a ceremony 9 p.m. in downtown Cape Girardeau, just before the Libertyfest fireworks on Cape Girardeau's riverfront.

For 40 years, Yallaly managed the Cape Girardeau American Legion baseball team as a volunteer. He also has done a great deal of volunteer work for the Missouri Veterans Home and VIP Industries.

Still, the 71-year-old Army veteran sees it all as a blessing to him.

"I've had so many good things happen to me," he said. "It almost embarrasses me."

Yallaly truly represents the best of what America stands for.

Many of us have had many good things happen to us too. On Friday, let's celebrate them.