What it's all about

It's always an experience celebrating an American Holiday on foreign soil. Italians over the past couple years have started to celebrate our Mother's Day and Halloween on their own....but they really love to be invited over for Cinco di Mayo to eat tacos, Thanksgiving to eat Turkey, and especially the 4th of July to eat American hamburgers and hotdogs. We decided long ago that holidays are more meaningful if you have people of other nationalities over and explain the meaning. In the process, we realized some of the things we celebrate only came about because other countries and people came to help us.

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For instance, during the revolutionary war, three Italian regiments totaling 1,500 men fought for American Independence. And another 87,000 Italian nationals served in the U.S. military during WWI. Despite the Anti-American protests going on here in Rome, because President Obama is here for the G8 Summit, it's comforting to know that other countries watch our back and are willing to stand and celebrate with us no matter the cost.

I was touched by this letter which reminded why we light the grill and fireworks (or in this case "sparklers"):

Hello America,

Here it is, another Fourth of July. Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends and family to picnic and watch fireworks. But we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of "fireworks." Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year…I'd like to ask you a favor. At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July: our Independence Day.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 On that day a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their names to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so. Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, let us honor the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War. Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it. As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but we need to honor their spirit. America is the greatest country this world has ever, and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as "we the people" remember our history.

Food for thought can be the most satisfying thing on a holiday.