Breeze's blog: "The 4th of July"

I can't think of the fourth of July with out first thinking of my father and all the others who have served in our armed forces both past and present. With out your courage, passion, and dedication I wouldnt be enjoying the level of comfort and freedom that exist in my life now. I am, and forever will be, in debt to all of you. My dad loved the fourth. He spent hundreds of dollars every year and was very proud of the number of times his neighbors called the police on him for excessive fireworks. When I was a kid I always thought he just enjoyed putting on such a great and intense show but as I aged I realized he did it because he was so proud of his country and its history. Thankfully I was there for the last two 4th's of his life. They were both incredible gatherings of friends and familiy, oh and we had a policeman already there on standby before we even shot off one firework. I will never forget those last two years. I love you dad and miss you dearly. Now I have my own tradition with my son who is on the cusp of manhood. We each write a letter to my father and just before we start the firework extravaganza we put them in a container and set them on fire. We wait in silence till it stops smoking, reflecting on the sacrifices made by my father and all the other men and women who have served their country so that we can celebrate our freedom. Thank you all very very much and you especially Sergant Teddy W. Moore...a.k.a Breeze.