News

I wrote a Letter to the Editor which was printed in the Sun Press on July 2, 2009 explaining why fireworks on the 4th of July are important to our community and our country.

It is the 4th of July again. Time to fly the red, white and blue. Time for picnics, parades, and fireworks. Time to come together as one community to celebrate our country.

But our community celebrations are disappearing from America. “Too costly” say the government officials. “Too inconvenient” is the reason given for cancelling fireworks, parades and community events.

Why are fireworks on the 4th of July important? The first 4th of July celebration was in 1776 at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The beginning of the greatest experiment in democracy the world has ever seen. Life. Liberty. The pursuit of Happiness. Freedom. John Adams wrote his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776 saying that “the day will be the most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival …. it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade …. bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward forevermore.”

An eight year Revolutionary War ensued. A Constitution and Bill of Rights was adopted. A bloody Civil War was fought. Constitutional amendments and laws have given more and more Americans their unalienable rights and that process continues even today. Many thousands of men and women have fought and died to protect American democracy and freedom.

Memorial Day is set aside to remember the heroes who sacrificed for our country. The 4th of July—Independence Day—is meant to celebrate why that sacrifice was made.

Coming together as one community to sit on blankets and lawnchairs to celebrate our country and our freedoms is important. It is a communal way to pass this on to our children. It is a way to reinforce community. It is a way to join together, regardless of political persuasion, to celebrate how great our country really is.

It is important that for one day each year our country and our community stops to celebrate and watch the fireworks together. It is worth the cost and the inconvenience.

Happy Birthday America and may you have many more to come. John Adams would be smiling. Let’s go watch some fireworks!

Brian Gleisser
Shaker Heights City Council Member
22162 Westchester Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122