Show the old Fourth The Fourth of July Independence Day I What a world of color of drama of history these few little words bring to mind and especially to those of an age ago who can remember what the Fourth used to mean It was a day of fun of course There were games complete with prizes i for or young and old alike running the gamut from three legged races to shooting matches There were the fireworks now banned almost everywhere everywhere every overy- where except in formal displays for safety reasons There were the orators they ran tho the full gambit from good to indifferent to bad but they all all had one thing in common dedication passion pride in nation its heritage and its future There were the great brass bands the members standing tall taU in their pressed polished polished polished pol pol- uniforms There were the roll calls of the towering names that had provided provide leadership in molding and making making making mak mak- ing a nation fit to stand with any nation Washington Madison Monroe Jefferson the Franklin And the flags proud against the sky flew everywhere We still celebrate the Fourth Its It's still a national holiday But something vital has gone out of it it Whatever Whatever Whatever What What- ever the reason the nation is poorer weaker and smaller because of that Times have chan changed d. d We Ve have grown prospered learned enjoyed vast material material material mater mater- ial progress But Bu is the old pride the old sense of faith in nation and in its destiny the old courage still with us 1 Each must answer that question for himself But let him ponder deeply and honestly before answering as another another another an an- other Fourth comes near |