There's a hush just before the first fireworks goes up.  A collective breath held across lawns, blankets, rooftops and sidewalks.  Then, with a crackle and a burst, the night sky blooms in color and we remember it's the Fourth of July!  

Fireworks are more than a spectacle.  They are part of our American rhythm.  They are loud, proud and deeply rooted in tradition.  Since 1777, just one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed, fireworks have been used to mark our freeom with joy and awe.  They echo the "rockets red glare" of Francis Scott Key's anthem and stir the deep feeling of pride and perseverance.

For children, it's magic.  For elders, it's memory.  For families gathered in folding chairs and pickup beds, it's tradition.  Whether it's a small-town display or a big-city production it's a shared moment of looking up together, united in wonder, a part of what keeps us connected.  

Fireworks also remind us of something quieter: resilience.  Each burst is a celebration of survival, of courage, of how far we've come as a country and as communities.  We light up the sky not just to remember independence, but to rejoice in it.  We shine outward because we carry a spark within. 

So as you watch the colors dance across the stars this July 4th, take a moment.  Listen to the oohs and aahs.  Feel the beat in your chest and know that even though the fireworks fade the spirit behind them burns bright.

God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America.