As we come to another holiday, perhaps our nations most important holiday, there are some things that we need to think about.

What does Independence Day mean to you? What does the Articles of Independence mean to our society? What does freedom mean to us? Are we as willing to defend our freedom as those who wrote the Articles?

Plans were being made for another subject for today, but as I was taking my walk Monday morning, I began to realize that July Fourth will be next week. This date came up rather fast, for me. With the importance of this special day which is the birthday for our nation, it seemed only proper to say a few things, even if it is rambling.

Everyone who signed the Articles of Independence made many sacrifices, with their lives or with their material goods. We may think it is hot now and we have been having hot days, but can you imagine how hot it was in Independence Hall? They dressed up for the event -- it had to be extremely hot.

There are too many people who seem to have forgotten Sept. 11, 2001 -- just a few short years ago. Our freedom was attacked. Never during World War II was Pearl Harbor Day forgotten. All through the war there was a slogan, "Remember Pearl Harbor." We need something like that to remind us of the attack on our nation. There are too many who have forgotten who the enemy is. Instead, they tend to blame us.

Independence Day may mean another day of work for some. For others, it is a three-day camping trip. It may mean cookouts. Of course, for many, it means a time for fireworks. Why do we have those fireworks? They remind us of our independence and the birth of our country. We get out the patriotic colors and the fireworks and it is a special observance.

There are many celebrations in the area. One of the most known is Rich Hill's Famous for the Fourth Celebration. This is the 125th year that they have held a celebration, a great heritage and achievement. The celebration at Rich Hill will start Friday evening and continue to the fireworks at 10 p.m. on Monday, the Fourth. A parade, a quilt show, much special entertainment, a car show, horseshoe pitching contest and a number of other events will be taking place. Among them a special tribute to the veterans in the area -- a great thing to do.

Rich Hill will have several food stands. One of the groups having a stand will be the McGennis Youth Center. This is a major fund-raising event for the center.

The community is to be congratulated and complimented for their long history of celebrating the Fourth of July. Not many communities have a record of this type and it is a community effort with many taking part and helping with the celebration. It does not seem like 25 years since they celebrated the 100th one. It was a surprise to hear that this year is the 125th. They will have a bang-up time in Rich Hill.

Nevada went for several years before we had a community fireworks. There was demand for such an event and the firefighters stepped forward and took it on. On Monday evening there will be a watermelon feed -- a good Fourth of July tradition.

There will be special entertainment and they will have fireworks. Each year the fireworks seem to get better -- they put on a great fireworks display. This is a wonderful event for the community and it is wonderful to have this patriotic celebration inn our community.

One reader asked me yesterday what I was going to write about this week. I told him I was going to write about my birthday. Many of you are aware that I was born on the Fourth of July. I always say in jest that the fireworks are for my birthday.

It is interesting to have a birthday on a special day, a holiday for everyone of my birthdays.

That doesn't mean I have had the Fourth of July off for every birthday in my life. Growing up on the farm, Dad did not stop to celebrate the day as far as work was concerned, although we had some great celebrations for Independence and my birthday.

Of course, I have been kidded about my birthday being on the Fourth. There was a man in town when I was a kid that I saw once in awhile and he always referred to me as torpedo. Many have said that I am a firecracker or that I am a big bang. Mom use to say, in kidding me, that I was a fizzle.

Years ago, I was excited about my birthday coming up. That excitement has long gone. However, every birthday is a real blessing.

Most likely, the reason I think Independence Day is so important is that it is not only the birthday for this country, but for me. I am sharing this event with you, because I have a unique situation -- a birthday on a national holiday.

May everyone be careful with the fireworks and have a safe holiday.

Keep in mind it is Independence Day and think what that means to you and me.

Happy Birthday, USA!