Celebrating America's Independence

On July 4th, 1776, civic minded men, including farmers and small business owners, came together in Philadelphia to found the United States of America. Still largely comprised of civic spirited farmers, fishermen, and small business owners, south Miami-Dade and the Upper Keys share in the heritage that the signers of the Declaration of Independence left the American nation.

As American Legion John G. Salley Post 43 in Homestead Commander, Wayne Schorr expressed during a rain storm filled late June evening, “The meaning of the 4th of July is the birth of the nation. At that time (1776) fireworks were ammunition, cannon fire.” A U.S. Army Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Mr. Schorr said that Independence Day fireworks remind him of the Star Spangled Banner’s verse “…and the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air.”

He noted that fireworks can have different impacts on the American veterans – from the holiday’s actual meaning to memories served in times of war. Poignantly in an allusion to how history might have been different, Mr. Schorr stated “If it wasn’t for the veterans that believed in the cause of independence and the creation of a new nation, things would have turned out different.”

His comments serve as a reminder that in its 238 year history, the U.S. has stood on its own sovereignty among the lands that once formed the British Empire. While the British monarch remains the Head of State for Australia, The Bahamas, Canada, and a number of other English

speaking nations, in 2014 the American Presidency treats Queen Elizabeth II on an equal level.

This year’s 4th of July shares the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy when American soldiers in June 1944 landed in Northern France to liberate Europe during World War II from that era’s German government. As Sons of the American Legion Squadron 43 member Mark Hammond of Homestead said, he admires “the World War II generation because they gave the best years of their lives to serve this country unselfishly.”

“We’re a patriotic family. My father graduated from West Point in 1953 and retired in 1973. My son Bud is in his third year at West Point. We have a patriotic tradition here in the Keys,” Dixie Humelsine commented in sharing her thoughts on Independence Day. She noted with pride that in addition to her son (Class of 2012), in recent years other Upper Keys graduates from Coral Shores High School have gone on to attend the U.S. Military Academy: John Kaicher (Class of 2009), Will Mulkeen (Class of 2010), and Sarah Brown (Class of 2011). The Upper Keys resident further stated, “This community has been very supportive of these talented kids.” In alluding that graduation from West Point carries at a minimum a five year active duty service commitment, Mrs. Humelsine said, “They joined the military during a time of conflict and will be placing their lives at risk.”

For fellow Upper Keys resident Lisa Feliciano, the 4th of July means “Kiwanis, because usually every year I do a Kiwanis patriotic community activity, like the Key Largo Parade and we (the Upper Keys Kiwanis) usually go out and also support the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce’s picnic and other activities.”

Ms. Feliciano added that the holiday is unique in the Upper Keys, “because we’re a small community, we support each other, seemingly everyone pretty much is at the Parade. We end up supporting the local businesses at night by celebrating the 4th and watching the fireworks at their establishments. It’s great to see how many area businesses sponsor the fireworks.”

This year’s Independence Day will be special in Palmetto Bay. While historically South Dade’s birthplace (the Cutler settlement precedes Homestead by a couple decades in the late 1800s), July 4th, 2014 marks the community’s first large scale community celebration of the holiday. As mayor, Shelley Stanczyk expressed during the evening of June 30th, “this is our first Annual Independence Day celebration in Palmetto Bay being held in our Downtown Redevelopment Area. The Village has been actively developing programs that promote a great sense of community.” The highlight of the 5 to 9:30 p.m. celebration in the Village Hall Area (9705 East Hibiscus Street, between U.S. 1 and Franjo Road) will be the 8:30 p.m. fireworks. As Mayor Stanczyk proudly pointed out, “this is a really momentous occasion. Instead of leaving Palmetto Bay to celebrate, the residents can come together to celebrate as a community’.

For many Americans, the 4th of July is a time to spend with family and make lasting memories. Young siblings Samantha and DJ Alexander of Naranja shared their thoughts on Independence Day. “Fireworks, my Mom’s birthday (born on July 4th)” are what first come to mind when Samantha Alexander thinks of the holiday. She said that the perfect way for her to celebrate the holiday is “going to the beach and holding sparklers”. Reflecting her father Steve’s Mississippi heritage, she also enjoys eating steak and ribs on the 4th of July. Her brother DJ expressed that “firing fireworks with my family” was the perfect way for him to celebrate the day.

As to distinct Independence Day holiday memories, he said “when I was little we used to pop up firecrackers in front of our house.” As the Alexander siblings looked back, they also remembered past 4th of July’s spent with relatives in rural Mississippi eating fried pickles with ranch dressing, and hot dogs with marshmallows in a bonfire.