Reflections on July Fourth Celebrations

Americans never hold back when it comes to showing patriotism. Big flags, grand barbecues, and even God-and-country themed decorations are common. Fighter jets with red, white, and blue smoke trails thrill us. Marching bands are a favorite. Every Fourth of July, across the country, we turn eating hot dogs into a form of patriotic celebration as we honor our nation’s independence.

In the past, people wore dad jeans and cropped tops for the holiday, looking slightly awkward, yet the atmosphere was welcoming and friendly. Everyone enjoyed wearing the American flag at the national barbecue.

This celebration of kitsch left me feeling proud, especially in Washington, where I moved over 30 years ago to work for The Washington Post. The city, though often inefficient, showed an idealistic side with ambitious individuals choosing public service over Wall Street or Silicon Valley. The women I met, who became my friends, worked in impressive fields like counterterrorism, international aid, and development.

One early summer, a friend reporting on the Clinton White House invited me to watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the White House grounds. The colorful display was magnificent. Watching fireworks over the nation’s capital was special. It wasn’t their size that impressed me but their presence against the backdrop of the White House, Washington Monument, and National Mall.

This year marks the country’s 250th birthday. Red, white, and blue bunting adorns Washington’s federal buildings and rowhouses. Flags cover entire structures, and visitors wrap themselves in patriotic garb. The usual throng of tourists has grown into a vivid display of holiday visitors, competing with T-shirts that declare U.S.A., flag-striped board shorts, and starry baseball caps.