Dear United States of America, 

A deceptively young 247, the years look good on you! Oh, how you’ve grown and changed since you took your first steps, which eventually turned into a full-sprint out of the arms of parental rule.

Despite your relative infancy compared to many sovereign nations around the globe, you sit at the table of world leaders and add dialogue that spearheads culture and economics even outside your borders. You are a beacon of the will of the people, an example of how a free world operates, even when under the greatest of pressures.

You have swayed the outcome of wars, lended aid to nations in peril, educated favorably in the name of democracy and equality and lended a light to those seeking a better life. It is known around the world that America is the home of the free and the land of the brave, and for good reason. To look to Lady Liberty for inspiration, our tired huddled masses who yearn to breathe free inhale a new day every day, and exhale opportunities’ fruitfulness. 

While you may not be perfect all of the time, and division often dictates discussions on your national scale, unity and community are still put to practice universally on the smaller scales. Your people all want what is best for our family and neighbors, and the vast majority of Sullivan County residents live by these longings daily. 

With this in mind, dear readers, please be mindful of others and ensure safety when handling fireworks and other possible disruptive and dangerous Independence Day activities. Like many other holidays, this day is meant for joyous reflection, not frantic trips to the emergency room. Remember and practice, “if it goes boom, be sure to leave room.” With this fair warning, go out and have fun, but be safe! 

But back to addressing our Stars and Stripes; you have stood the test of time for close to two and a half centuries, and we hope for the continued tradition of your motto – liberty and justice for all!

Sincerely, the Sullivan County Democrat