The 4th of July went deep with me when I was a child.

I felt the ingrained sense of “The land that I love.” I experienced a vast sense of honor, and a desire to stand “Stand beside her and guide her. Thru the night with a light from above.”

When our family enjoyed the holiday with our Army-based father in Fort Harrison, Indiana, we made it tradition to go fishing, hiking, to be a family and celebrate together, and we ended the day at dusk at the local Dairy Queen. I admit, a craving that I hold today — each and every 4th of July.  Summer sun, fireworks exploding into the early night sky, and ice cream go together. Right?

With the remnants of that sweet treat in hand, we drove a half-block away to the town park and watched the fireworks burst in the air. Boom…boom…boom rattled the ground, and with each shake, my heart swelled for America.

God Bless America…the land that I love.

What are your favorite Independence Day memories and traditions?