A Fourth of July message

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 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. But we should not become complacent and let those past problems resurrect.

We would like to take this time to not only urge caution, but remind you of a few reasons why celebration is very much in order this year.

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 had those brave souls ? firefighters, policemen and others ? who lost their lives as they saved 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, risking and 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.