Why Milspouses Love the Fourth Of July
Fourth of July is the perfect summer holiday. For my boys who get out of school in May, the day is right in the middle of summer. There are things to do, fireworks to see, and a country to remember.
Being married to someone in the military means that you are a part of America’s history.
So why do Milspouses love the Fourth of July? This is why!
1. The patriotic shows
There is just something about watching fireworks and hearing patriotic music. It reminds us of living in a free country and how much we have because we do. The shows remind us of the sacrifices the military and our families have made over the years to make sure that the country stays free. The shows give us a feeling of community and of celebrating our country with others.
2. Hanging out with friends
4th of July is a good time to spend time with friends, especially if your spouse is deployed. I remember the 4th of July during our 15-month deployment. All of us wives got together and had a fabulous time even though it rained half the day. We were in Germany, half the world away from the US, but we celebrated anyway.
3. Good 4th of July food
From Hamburgers and hotdogs to potato chips and yummy 4th of July desserts, this holiday loves food. Not the healthiest of foods but still. Enjoy the day celebrating with a bbq or picnic in the park.
4. DONSA
Since my husband is no longer Active duty, he doesn’t get a DONSA for the 4th of July, but in year’s past, I loved that he was off that weekend. We always had time to hang out together, bbq, enjoy the local area, and celebrate. As a military spouse, you know how important that family time is.
5. Remembering our history
From 1776 through the 1800s, 1900s, and now the 2000s, our country has gone through so many trials and tribulations. Some of these years were better than others. We have been through so many wars and have rebuilt when we needed to.
The 4th of July is a good reminder of all of this and everything that had happened since that day back in the 1700s when we began.
6. Striving to do better
Independence day is a time to look at what our country is going through and think about what could make things better. As William J. Clinton said, “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.” These days seem particularly difficult but I know that our country is a strong one and we can get through them.
7. Red, white, and blue everything
From your shirts to your home decor, red, white, and blue is everywhere. When I was a child, our neighborhood had a 4th of July parade that was always a lot of fun. We would decorate our bikes in those colors and ride around the neighborhood. So many fun memories from those days.
8. The concerts
There are so many fantastic 4th of July concerts out there, from the Lt. Dan Band, Kid Rock, or Carrie Underwood. Whether you see these concerts in person or on TV, they will make you feel pride, and you will always remember them in the years to come.
So, this year, let’s say Happy Birthday America! We love you 🙂
