With this being Independence Day weekend, it seems appropriate to take a moment and pay our respects to one of the first female super heroes of World War II, Miss Victory! In an age dominated by super-powered men, she was a woman who simply decided that she could better aid her country by wearing a costume and fighting its enemies. By day, she was Joan Wayne, a stenographer. But, when America’s enemies needed a good beat down, she became Miss Victory!
My wife and I recently enjoyed a little weekend getaway to Branson, MO. Branson is a little “tourist town” in the Ozark Mountains just across the Arkansas state line, and it’s a place I’ve been visiting my entire life. One of my favorite things to do there is to take in an evening dinner cruise and show on the Showboat Branson Belle. The weather was perfect on the night of our cruise, and after enjoying some time on the top deck, my wife snapped this picture on our way back into the boat. This picture means so many things to me… along with a beautiful sunset and a moment in our lives that felt so perfect, it also captures a flag that stands for something special, something that I could never adequately put into words. A little later that evening all of the veterans of the armed forces in the audience were asked to stand and be recognized for their service to our country. Looking at those men and women who were standing, I felt those same feelings I had felt earlier looking at the flag. I still don’t have the perfect words, but I do know that we’re blessed. Happy 4th of July, friends!
Every 4th of July, the neighborhood is full of flags. This is one of my favorites.
Happy Independence Day!
Enjoy!
I shared this scene last year but sometimes a scene is so great that you have to share it twice. Here, to honor America, is Snoopy performing the National Anthem.
I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!
Just in case you need some help getting into the 4th of July mood.
911 American Flag by Alaz Mal
All The Colors of the Day by Erin Nicole
By Andrea Ward
By David Sanger
by Frank Conlon
By Randy Olson
By Stephen Sheffield
Flag by Erin Nicole
Things Are Looking Up by Jackson Carson
Artist Unknown
Do you need some help getting the mood for the 4th of July? Just check out these patriotic heroes!
I couldn’t find any Peanuts specials that were set during Independence Day but I did come across this fantastic version of The Star-Spangled Banner from A Boy Named Charlie Brown. A Boy Named Charlie Brown was the first Peanuts movie. It was released in 1969 and, in this scene, Snoopy gets the Little League season off to the right start with the national anthem.
I hope everyone’s having a great 4th of July!
My family has always been a fireworks family. Every 4th of July, when I was growing up, my family would celebrate the 4th of July in Arkansas. My Uncle would always drive me and my sisters and our cousins all over Arkansas and Oklahoma and we would stop at every fireworks stand that we found. He would buy us all as many fireworks as we wanted. My cousins always wanted something that would blow up and make a lot of noise. I liked the sparklers and the black cubes that would turn into snakes. Lisa and I always wanted to get anything that had a cat or a bat (like the ones above) on the label. We would get so excited whenever we spotted a new fireworks stand.
Here to help both you and me get into the 4th of July mood are some great fireworks labels! If you bought enough of these, you know that 4th was going to be a good one.
Remember, like Marilyn Monroe says, enjoy your fireworks safely!
Through the Shattered Lens 