Senior News Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday in July

Press release from Senior News:

In case it’s sneaked up you, July is about to burst upon us with an even bigger BOOM! than usual. This July 4^th we celebrated America’s 250^th Birthday, which, coincidentally, is the title of the latest issue of Senior News.

You can find our tribute to the nation’s semiquincentennial (that’s one-half of 500) free at the usual Humboldt newsstands, inserted in the Mad River Union and the Times-Standard, and online at the website (humboldtseniornews.org/) or the e-edition (humboldtseniornews.org/eedition/).

This year’s annual Senior News celebration of our Independence Day is more than the usual joy at red, white & blue festivities, hotdogs, parades, fireworks and “God Bless America.” Contributors to this issue also reflect on what being an American means to them, the value of liberty and independence, and the 250-year traditions and values contained in the Declaration of Independence.

In 1787, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin if the colonies had created a republic or a monarchy. “A republic, if you can keep it,” he replied. Writes contributor Nancy Lee in this month’s Senior News: “I pray we can keep our democracy, as Franklin cautioned, for I am nothing if not an American patriot.”

A woman named Helen S. from McKinlineyville wrote, “I’m feeling more patriotic than usual this year. I’m not sure why. Maybe because I’m worried.”

Writer and cartoonist John King compared the American republic to a tree that must be nurtured and protected. Otherwise, “in a very short time, democracy will just be a stump.”

Writes Allan Katz, “As we celebrate our country’s 250th birthday, even as we enjoy fireworks and parades, it might be a good time to remember that our story is not simple or one-dimensional. Nor is its final chapter written.”

One reader emailed to thank our “marvelous writers. . . . The thoughtful concern expressed by many of them was comforting,” she said.

Senior News is proud to share this collection of praise for American independence on the nation’s 250th birthday. Enjoy!

Senior News, founded in 1981, is a program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, a community newspaper circulating 7,500 free copies monthly. For information or to subscribe, call 707-443-9747.