632. The 234th on the Fourth

Tomorrow our Federal Republic, a nation too long at wars we aren't winning and can't fully define, wars which take too many of America's young women and men away from their families, friends, and sometimes their futures, celebrates its 234th birthday.

Here along the Left Bank of the Ohio River near Milepost 606, one of the ways we celebrate the aging of the country is by an Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence, the document announcing our separation from King George III and his British Isles across the waters.

The Louisville-Jefferson County Democratic Party has for many years gathered at the War Memorial on the corner of 5th and Jefferson streets at 9 am on the 4th for the reading and this year will proceed as we have in the past. All are invited for this celebration in the morning. We'll sing the Star Spangled Banner and My Old Kentucky Home, then proceed on with our grievances against the King.

After the reading, Americans are free to go do whatever they wish in celebration. Tomorrow being Sunday, many will use their freedom to practice their religion by attending the church, synogogue, or mosque of their choice. Others will bar-be-cue, shoot-off fireworks, or go to the lake. If you have time, visit a National Cemetery (there is one in Louisville and another over in New Albany) and honor those who've gone before us in defense of the freedoms we celebrate. Even a tip-of-the-head when you pass a VFW, AmVets, or American Legion hall will suffice.

And although I've never learned how to do it, if I knew how, at this point I would upload a YouTube version of Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful. His rendition is among the most moving and is an appropriate way to celebrate. Amen, amen.