The 4th of July is special here in the Springs. With the 2nd highest percentage of veterans of any of the larger cities in the country, coupled with 5 major local military installations, it just has kind of a special patriotic flavor.
I still remember our first time attending the 4th of July festivities at Colorado Springs Memorial Park. The symphony played a concert, ending in the 1812 Overture, accompanied by a howitzer battery from Fort Carson. It was so cool! There are fireworks at so many locations here, and tonight we will be observing them from the home of some friends, where you can see 3 or 4 different shows going on at once.
The other thing that makes this holiday somewhat surreal, is the price that is being paid for our freedom and that of the Iraqi people, by our own soldiers at Ft Carson right now. Over 200 have have lost their lives so far, 5 just in the last week. So when you are enjoying your BBQ today, and fireworks tonight, please try and remember those that have made our freedom possible, and their families? Have a great 4th!