4th of July

Thanks to the pool reporter traveling with Vice President Biden we have a more colorful, emotional accounting of the swearing in ceremony of 237 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who became citizens of the United States on the 4th of July while stationed in Iraq. While most of these men and women were from Mexico and the Phillipines, there were 12 Iraqis who joined our ranks as citizens.

The ceremony was the largest naturalization ceremony held in Iraq and was held in the rotunda of the Aw Faw Palace, one of Saddam's more luxurious palaces. Soldiers looked down from three balconies to view the ceremony. The chandelier that provided the lighting for the service was described as a sight to behold with a giant sparkling centerpiece surrounded by 16 smaller chandeliers dangling from an ornate painted ceiling.

Soldiers dressed in camouflage sat on folding chairs in the center of the room with their weapons stored beneath their chairs. They were encircled by six black columns possibly of marble, granite or onyx.

Happy Independence Day! I'm typically a sentimental fool on the 4th. I love history and am prone to bore my children to tears with stories about how things used to be.

When I was a little girl I went through a long period of time when my desired grownup profession was not a teacher, lawyer or doctor...I wanted to be a Pioneer. I wanted to live off the land. I thought it would be so rewarding to build my own log cabin, know which plant to use to treat an ailment and where to forage for food in the woods. There would be no easy way to do simple chores.

I guess in a way my dream came true. I have mastered the art of learning and doing things the hard way.

Today, as we celebrate one of the most important days in our nation's history, let's share a little of our own. Do you have any childhood memories or stories of past celebrations you would like to share?

Join or watch for the Peace/Justice/Impeachment contingent in the 4th of July parade! They even have a float this year.