Not to be cliché, but isn’t it great to be an American?

July 4, 1776 the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England which then led to the formation of the United States.

As we get closer to the holiday, flags begin popping up all over town with their stars reminding us of the 50 states, while the red and white stripes remind us of the 13 colonies that America started from. Those colonies bonded together 241 years ago to start what we now know of as the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

What does Independence Day mean to you? For us, at The Covington News, it means a day to celebrate. We celebrate the freedom offered to us. We celebrate the rights we have been granted. We celebrate with friends and family. We celebrate with this community.

While we pull out the flags, fireworks, watermelon and barbeque serve as fixtures of the Independence Day celebration, but let us not forget what the holiday is truly about.

As we look up to the sky Tuesday night, we’ll see bright colors and hear the celebratory explosions. Let us not forget about the soldiers who heard similar explosions during the War of 1812 with the “bombs bursting in air.” Because of them we can celebrate. Because of them we are free.

As we celebrate a paid day off work, let us remember to be thankful for the opportunity to work. There are some people who never get to take a day off. Soldiers work through Christmas, Thanksgiving and even Independence Day. Don’t forget about them.

We can never stop fighting for our independence. While most of us were lucky enough to be born into these rights, we must remember that someone fought for them. Someone fought for our right to vote. Someone fought for our right to free speech and free press. Someone is still fighting for the very things we take for granted.

Newton County is offering a variety of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July. We encourage you to go out, be a part of the community and celebrate. Being an active member of the community is important at all times and it is never too late to get started. Get out there, buy things from local businesses, meet your local representatives, learn about community organizations and get involved.