oh say can you see (and hear, touch, and taste)

Happy 4th of July!

For 74 years, Coronado Island has held their annual Independence parade that makes its way down Orange Avenue, the main drag in town. Military presence is strong here as North island is the birthplace of naval aviation and the city honors its veterans and those who are actively listed.

Along with veterans of foreign wars, military bands, sons of union veterans from the Civil War and currently enlisted soldiers, there are representatives of this city, including local businesses, sports leagues and dance troupes that either march down the route on foot, or ride in convertibles, military humvees and classic cars. The likenesses of “Maverick”, “Iceman” and “Goose” from “Top Gun” replete in their flight suits always get the biggest applause.

Besides your typical parade fare there were many other entrants that didn’t seem connected to the usual military theme: there was Miss Vietnam of San Diego, The Sweethearts of Swing, Kingdom of Terre Neuve (people dressed in medieval clothing), J.S. The Rag Man Band, Ukranian Refugee Families, The Women’s Democratic Club and the Women’s Republican Club, EDCO trash vehicles, Al Bahr Antique Car Club, Ms Senior California, and The Science Fiction Coalition. In addition there were men and women wearing kilts playing their bagpipes, and lots of equestrian clubs, including one group who dressed like they just got off the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

I stood or sat at the curb with my husband, nieces, nephews, and their five children, who were captivated by every marching band. The bands were loud and the motorcycles roared, but they didn’t seemed fazed; they waved their flags while trying to eat snow cones, cookies and cream treats, and blue raspberry ICEES before they melted.

I loved watching the stoic Naval marching band, keeping perfect time in their stiff white uniforms, the silliness of the clowns, the sparkling refurbished Thunderbird convertibles while eating my ICEE in my cup, letting the lime and watermelon flavors meld sweet and sour around my tongue.

I am grateful because I am free. I can express my independence. I can cheer on veterans of the Vietnam War and cheer on Miss Vietnam, sitting on top of a convertible with her beautiful sparkling crown glistening in the sun. I can laugh at the whimsical little cars and salute the banners that depict those fallen in foreign wars.

My great niece held my hand so she could put a Stars and Stripes tattoo on it. She and her brother were talking to a woman who was preparing her 28-year-old horse for the parade. She pulled open his mouth showing off yellowed and crooked teeth, like that of a wizened camel.

Independence Day celebrates our country’s freedom: it allows each of us to be aware of who we are and who we want to be with, what we choose to taste, smell, and touch without judgment or punishment from a dictatorship or socialist society. Despite our sometimes disunited states, we still fight for freedom, for acceptance, and the right to gather together and wave the Stars and Stripes.

While I “oooh” and “ahhh” at the fireworks later tonight, I’ll silently wonder if this is my last 4th of July Celebration. The cancer might be roaring back for the sixth time and my options for treatment are limited. Yet, my heart is full because I used all my senses to embrace the day and hold onto my gratitude.

Freedom from bondage is tangible and intangible. But here in these United States, you can unwrap your heart, cross the barriers to success, and you too will find gratitude in the greatest country in the world.