[Madelaine Amee]

Our kids grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and 4th of July was a big day back then. The Parade used to come by the bottom of our little road and we would all stand out there waving our little flags and talking and laughing with the neighbors, and the kids would be having a great time with their friends. Of course the parade was hokey, the high school girls would twirl their batons and hope not to drop one, then the boy scouts would come by, then the girl scouts, followed by our police force and the only two fire engines the town owned, and then to top off the parade we would have our local politicians driving along in open vintage cars! Such fun. Then there used to be a big chicken BBQ on the Village Green and we'd all go down for the BBQ and when it got dark there would be fireworks! Wonderful memories.

This past week I was watching TV and first there was mention of a big sale at Macy's, then another sale at so and so, and on and on. Have we really turned this wonderful American holiday into another money grubbing day?

I'm sure every generation has fond memories of when they were young, but we really seem to be turning everything into a money maker and not the day it was supposed to be, a day to celebrate our country.