Celebrate safely this 4th

Another Fourth of July is days away, and again it comes as our

country faces challenging news from overseas. Our military men and

women continue to face danger in Iraq, Afghanistan and other spots

around the world.

Today, on the Fourth and on every day, our thoughts and best

wishes should be with them. They won’t have the chance to celebrate

Independence Day as we do, with the annual Fourth of July parade down

Main Street. The parade, billed as the largest west of the

Mississippi, attracts some 300,000 spectators to downtown.

The festivities will be capped off by the annual fireworks show,

which once again will be downtown -- where it should be. Except for

such public displays, fireworks are illegal in Huntington Beach -- so

watch out.

The years of hooliganism that marred Fourth of July festivities

here in Surf City seem to be long gone, thankfully; largely because

of the heightened police presence and restrictions that have

increased over the years.

Again, we should not become complacent and let those past problems

resurrect.

In sum, we would like to take this time to not only urge caution,

but remind you of a few reasons why celebration this year is very

much in order.

As you’re enjoying that hamburger or potato salad, taking part in

a gunny sack race or watching the fireworks glow, set aside some time

to reflect on just how fortunate we are to live in one of the

greatest nations on earth.

How fortunate we are to live in a country that values freedom,

human life and human dignity.

How fortunate we are to have those brave souls, firefighters,

policemen and others, who lost their lives trying to save others in

the terrorist attacks.

How fortunate we are to have the greatest military in the world,

many of which are now across the globe defending our freedoms,

riskingand even losing -- their lives to protect those freedoms.

So, yes, keep all those blessings in mind this year, and once

again we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July.