Submitted by: Allan Cieniuch, Regional Director of Operations, Southern California
Ronald Reagan said it best, “For one who was born and grew up in the small towns of the Midwest, there is a special kind of nostalgia about the Fourth of July.”
When I was young growing up outside of Chicago, July 4th was always a special time. We would wake up early and catch the local parade in downtown Brookfield and afterwards we would BBQ, play baseball, and swim. Then, we would wait with high anticipation for the sun to go down and the fireworks to start. There is a great sense of energy and excitement that this holiday has always brought to everyone.
Independence Day also holds a special place for my family as we are second generation immigrants from Poland and Mexico. My grandparents always had a ton of pride in celebrating the birth of our country, which was engrained in my parents and then passed onto me. My Grandfather served the nation in the Korean War, as did my wife’s Grandfather, and both were extremely proud of what the United States represented and instilled those beliefs in our families.
Most importantly, July 4th is about spending time with your loved ones and friends. It is a very special holiday for my family, one that truly kicks off our summer. We get together on a beautiful summer day and heat up the BBQ, then we eagerly wait for the sun to go down and the fireworks to begin, all while trying to keep the kids up so they can see the big show. This is a great holiday and one that will always be special for my family.