Celebrating America’s Independence Day!

It’s no secret that Americans love to decorate their homes around holidays — St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas and even Super Bowl Sunday!

In fact, I noticed that one neighbor who usually treats visitors to impressive annual displays actually leaves up his Christmas lights all year round to save the hassle.

However, there’s something about the 4th of July that I have always loved. The sense of patriotism, respect, pride, reverence and history is unlike any other on this day. It’s a day where Americans from all corners of the country (and around the world) can put aside differences and come together to celebrate who we are as a nation — as one!

Of course, this didn’t happen by accident and we should never take our blessings for granted! We can never repay the debt or express enough gratitude to all those who have served our nation and proudly worn the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces to protect the peace, defend our country abroad and preserve our freedoms here at home.

Now, I may have a biased view since we literally live a stone’s throw from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and just a few miles from our Nation’s capital — but I doubt it.

Over the years, I have had the honor of visiting all 50 states and I often drove the backroads to get a closer look at hometown Americana. In my experience throughout my travels, American flags were always proudly flying and other unique local patriotic symbols could be found in each place I visited. Though we may celebrate our independence each year in special ways on July 4th with parades, barbecues and fireworks — I know that patriotism is alive and well every day all across the United States.

However, on this day we take time to pay homage to our Founding Fathers and celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 resulting in the birth of our great country.

Below is just a small sampling of how some of our neighbors decorated their homes this year. Happy 235th Birthday, America!