As we celebrate the United States' 224th birthday, we should reflect on how far this country has come. Ours is mostly a proud history, but it took much foresight and pain to bring us to where we are today. Our view Independence Day is a good time to reflect on our nation's challenges and accomplishments. We not only owe a great debt of gratitude to the great minds who invented, planned and led but also the thousands of immigrants whose sweat and hard work provided the manpower to make this the great industrialized nation it is today. We must continue to learn from the mistakes of our past lest we continue to repeat errors that could be prevented.
Personal responsibility is the key.
We know that drunk driving kills, and fireworks handled carelessly cause painful injuries and costly property damage. With summer road construction in full swing, even astute drivers must be extra cautious to avoid accidents. This year, because of the extremely dry conditions, extra care must be taken to assure that this celebration isn't remembered as a tragedy. Parents must take responsibility for not only their actions but also those of their children, by teaching them the importance of fireworks safety and making sure their rules are followed. The decisions we make and actions we take will impact future generations.