4th of July: Free as the Breeze

We had a high of 94 degrees today, and it took a welcome breeze to save me as I toiled over our new, old-fashioned charcoal grill (a little more work, but the flavor of charcoal grilled food can't be beat). It wasn't the new grill that thrilled me today, though. At first, it was just the sensual pleasure, feeling the light buffeting on my face and arms.

But then I looked across to my neighbor's home and saw his American flag flowing proudly, unfurled almost straight out in that breeze. And on this July 4th, I was reminded that it was people like my neighbor Bernie, my father-in-law Pete, and my father Vince--all World War II veterans--and my dear friend Paul Demcoe, a Vietnam vet who died way too young, and the thousands of other men and women who fought in the heat and the cold, in the rain and the snow, on all terrains and in the most adverse conditions.

All that sacrifice, just so we can feel free as the breeze.