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Children reflect on freedom’s value
By ELISE FRANCO
YOUNGSTOWN — To many, July 4 is a day to relax at home with family and friends, watching fireworks and grilling. But to a handful of local youths, Independence Day is that — and much more.
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Alana Washington, 10, of Dallas, said she comes to the Mahoning Valley to visit her cousins every summer and celebrate the Fourth of July.
“Every year we go to a big parade and a fair and watch fireworks together,” she said. “It’s all about freedom and having fun because our country is free of the bad people.”
Monica Mattiussi, 12, of Austintown, said she’s learned about the Declaration of Independence and the importance of the Fourth at school.
“I learned that without [the Declaration] life wouldn’t be the same because of all the freedoms and rights it gives us,” she said. “I believe that John Hancock showed a lot of bravery for not being afraid to be the first to sign it.”
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, by representatives of 12 of the 13 American colonies. The document, which marked the birth of the United States of America, also signified a formal end to the rule Great Britain once held over the colonies.
Classmates Elizabeth Becherer, 10, and Natalie Seppi, 10, both of Poland, said even though they haven’t spent a lot of time learning about the Declaration just yet, they know what it is and what it means.
“I’ve seen it before,” Becherer said. “I know that if we weren’t independent, we’d have no freedoms, and we wouldn’t be able to do all the things we wanted to.”
Mattiussi said the tradition of celebrating the Fourth should be continued because it signifies to importance of living in the United States.
“I am proud to live in America, because you read everywhere about all the bad things in the world,” she said. “It’s different here because we have freedoms they don’t have.”
Dominic Mattiussi, 14, of Austintown, shares his sister’s patriotic sentiments.
“I learned that it took perseverance, time and patience to get things settled,” he said. “It was the day of our country’s birth, and we should remember the people who started the country, and honor them.”
efranco@vindy.com