The Fourth of July passed very quietly here. I remember the oldtime celebrations of years gone by. They were elaborate affairs. Folks would gather from miles around. The band would play all day and there would be speaking by some prominent citizen. There also would be lemonade stands and swings and other types of entertainment.
    The Fourth has lost much of the oldtime enthusiasm and patriotic spirit. It seems we find that spirit passing in the present time. We are prone to forget our freedom and how we came by it.
    We take for granted the thousands and thousands of soldiers who guard our shores that we may continue to have this freedom. Let's be more patriotic and thank God for all we enjoy in this country of ours, but let's be ever alert for something which might creep in unawares.
    Respect our flag, that Old Glory may forever wave over the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Mellie Cole
undated