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Independence Day: Unity in Diversity

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Major) John Painter
  • 315th AW/HC
Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. --  Generations of my family considered Sunday to be "The Lord's Day." It was viewed as a solemn day, a day of worship, quiet devotion, and quiet play.

Neither of my parents ever worked on Sunday, either at their jobs or at chores around the house. We children could play, but at nothing which created a disturbance - no loud noise and no aggressive, competitive sports.

Having been raised in this tradition, I found it interesting that the first Fourth of July to fall on a Sunday (1779) was celebrated on Monday, July 5 out of respect for the traditionally solemn nature of the day.

Even as late as 1999, Rockledge Borough, Pennsylvania held the city's Independence Day Parade on Saturday July 3 out of respect for Sunday services being held in churches on Main Street.

Non-church goers complained, as they did in Meza, Arizona when the Sertoma Club moved their annual fireworks display to Saturday July 3 citing "the reluctance of its Mormon members and volunteers to work on Sunday."

Some churches, however, have integrated the celebration into their services, but to different degrees. The First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas prides itself on its fiercely patriotic approach to the Fourth of July. A couple of years ago, Marines rappelled into the sanctuary, church members in uniform stuck rifles and helmets into a Styrofoam grave site, and indoor fireworks exploded around the worshippers.

There are churches which allow a salute to veterans, but steer clear of any overtly patriotic messages; others continue their normal worship services with no recognition of the holiday at all. The variety in these celebrations evidence the fact that we are truly an independent nation, made up of independent individuals who express their conscience in the context of a larger group which appreciates individual freedom.

I encourage you to celebrate your freedom this Fourth of July by renewing your commitment to protect and preserve the diverse traditions and practices held dear by each individual American.

May God continue to strengthen our national unity by revealing the beauty of our diversity.