Happy 4th!

I, for one, am an American that's proud to be here. Warts and all, this is still the best damn country in the world, and God willing, we'll remain that way for some time to come. The fireworks will start soon, and my only lament is not being back in Texas with my friends to watch them together. Last year I was out in Port Arthur, TX on the warship my grandfather helps restore, the USS Orleck. For three years prior it was barbeque and a lightshow with Jesse and his family. I don't remember whether it was in '02 or '03, but at one point I accidently exploded a 'Black Cat' in my hand in front of him and his nephew. The yelp I let out was only slightly more embarrassing than the temporary hearing loss. Their laughter stung a lot less than the gunpowder too. I certainly hope the soldiers in Iraq and abroad have memories to hold them over at times like these.

My friend and brother Erick told me today that he'd just written and mailed the last letter he was going to write, in case things didn't go well for him over there. He requested that I read it aloud at the funeral, if it came to that. I never imagined having to mix fear in with my 4th of July memories. I pray it never "comes to that". But he's told me on the phone he knows he's made a difference in this world; the people they're fighting in Iraq are "bad" in every sense of the word. He's due home in October- Godspeed.

And God bless us all here at home, who wait for their return.