This July Fourth, remember what the day represents

This July Fourth, rememberwhat the day represents
EDITOR:
I have always felt very proud and grateful to be an American, especially on the Fourth of July.
The priceless gift of freedom paid for by others and gifted to so many is humbling and heart lifting.
Any American living or deceased who has served the country and risked his or her life to secure freedom for others has earned the love and respect of a nation.
When I see the American flag waving against the sky from the top of a high building I feel its message is: "Love and honor me, for I pledge to keep free-loving people free."
This Fourth of July, fireworks will light up and beautify the night sky with different colors and designs. Those colors and designs could serve as a reminder of the different races, nationalities, religions and cultures of people who live in our country.
We Americans are a unique class of people. We've done battle on our home front by winning the war on ignorance with wisdom and education. Injustice is being fought and won with truth. Racism is being defeated with common sense and understanding, and prejudice is destroyed with a good conscience, loving heart and a working soul. Anyone who truly believes in equality knows that can be achieved only by treating others in the same way we wished to be treated.
All Americans should give some thought this Fourth of July to what a priceless gift we have in having freedom. No thought or action could be expressed, and hopes and dreams could never be fulfilled without it.
It's our freedom that makes the creative, informed and exciting people that we are.
Freedom is a blessing that should never be abused or taken for granted.
Anything that is priceless needs constant care and protection. May God Bless us with wisdom, goodness and strength always, and keep us safe.
MARY LOU JURINA
Youngstown
Remember the law and havea safe and happy July Fourth
EDITOR:
The front page of Sunday's Vindicator showed a man and his stepsons buying fireworks, which most, if not all, are illegal in his state (Pennsylvania), as well as in Ohio.
It bothers me every year that we allow -- in fact seem to encourage -- our children to break this law. While I may not agree with the law, until and unless it is changed, it is what we have to live with.
What are we teaching our children if we give them the impression that it's OK to break the law when it's fun or simply inconvenient to obey it? Do these same people allow their children to ride in cars without being restrained by a seat belt or car seat? Do we teach them it's OK to steal or injure another person because they want to?
I love a good fireworks show, and my family and I attend several each year. But I also feel it's important to let the professionals do their work and keep our children safe as well as teach them respect for the law.
SHERYL ECKERT
Youngstown
Fly the flag high on Fourth
EDITOR:
On the passing of Ronald Reagan, the president and Congress declared a 30-day period of national mourning. The Ronald Reagan, I remember, would not want the symbol of American liberty and freedom at half-staff on Independence Day.
On July 4th, my flag will fly high and proud in honor of a great American and a greater America.
DON JOHNSON
Hubbard