patriotic

4th of July Traditions

July 4, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

It is during the holidays you miss your family being all together and the traditions of the 4th of July. Parades, watermelon, laying in the grass watching the fireworks and then going home to set off your own. Happy 4th of July, where ever you and your family may be this year. I celebrated in the town of Murdock Nebraska, who celebrated their 125th birthday in style with a parade, breakfast, a road race, pie and ice cream at the church, BBQ, and a fireworks display.

My oldest son, I hope, will be watching the fireworks off Navy Pier in Chicago. Last year I spent a weekend in July and a trip down to Navy Pier to watch the fireworks is definitely worth staying up late.

My youngest son, an active Marine unfortunately posted a message on Facebook. “Don’t remember a 4th of July that I haven’t worked these past few years. What are fireworks?” He’s on duty tonight, just like last year. Even my youngest daughter will have to work tonight, but at least she watched the parade this morning and had some “Flag Cake” to celebrate.

This is the first year I’ve made a flag cake, but it reminds me of a tradition when I was in high school. My best friend always had a 4th of July Party at the lake and she always brought the flag cake for dessert. So now, after 40 years I think I’ll start a new tradition. It’s super easy to make. Bake a white cake in a 9 x 13 inch pan, frost with Cool Whip, decorate with blueberries and sliced strawberries.

A 4th of July Tradition, Flag Cake — 4th of July Flag Cake

No matter where you are you can still appreciate the patriotic spirit of the day, the red, white, and blue decor and even pull up the Patriotic station on Pandora to recognize Independence Day when we declared our Independence from our “Mother Country” England and decided to become our own country in 1776. The United States is a young country in comparison to the rest of the world and let us never become jaded and forget our countries birthday.

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Happy 4th of July, enjoy your family and enjoy creating new traditions.

4th of July Traditions

A look at July 4th traditions across the US

July 3, 2014: Fair St. Louis fireworks illuminate the sky in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. (AP/St. Louis Post-Dispatch). The United States marks 238 years as an independent nation as it celebrates the Fourth of July with fireworks, food and music …

4th Of July Traditions: Eight Ways Americans Celebrate Independence

4th Of July Traditions: Eight Ways Americans Celebrate Independence. Eight Traditions For Independence Day. The 4th of July is often filled with parades, barbecues, fireworks, and impromptu baseball games. Families, friends, and neighbors often get …

The Best Places to Watch Fireworks Across America

Plans or traditions for the 4th of July… 4th of July traditions have always included lots of grilling, watermelon, sparklers and being outside! We usually watch fireworks the night before the 4th and then head into the woods for a …

Creating 4th of July Traditions and Frozen Graham Cracker …

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Honey Maid. All thoughts and experiences shared are our own. Sparklers, sprinklers, and cool treats were the highlights of my childhood 4th of …

Sisters Marie: Top Five 4th of July Traditions

Top Five 4th of July Traditions. Our annual 4th of July party is one of those traditions that’s been happening for so long, we can’t even remember life before it. Each year, the excitement begins after the out of office message …

Patriotic Horses at the County Fair

August 10, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Patriotic Horse Stole My Heart

The social event of the year in many rural communities is the county fair and in Cass County Nebraska this is no exception. Saturday night at the horse arena is the 4-H Horse fun event which includes a costume contest, ribbon ride, egg and spoon, and sit-a-buck. This painted patriotic horse was my favorite horse of the night and I had to get more of their story.

So meet Willy, the Red, White, and Blue horse and his little owner Courtney. This is what 4-H, friends, family, and the fair is all about, fun, smiles and horsing around, literally. According to her Mom, Micki, Courtney couldn’t decide how to decorate Willy for the costume contest, Pegasus was the first idea, but the thought of trying to create wings and attach them to the horse was just too challenging.

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Patriotic Horse Costume — A girl and her horse (photo by Mom)

Courtney’s Dad was in the Air Force, and still works at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue Nebraska, so when her Mom saw this idea on line Courtney was very excited. Her friend didn’t have a horse to decorate so they went together as a team, one painted the stars and the other the red and white stripes.

They decided the opposite side should say “God Bless America” and tie red, white, and blue ribbons in WIlly’s mane and tail. The red leg wraps gave the whole presentation a patriotic “pop” and although they didn’t win, they turned some heads and made more than a few people smile.

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These girls have quite a number of years showing ahead and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year. Fun night is held the last night of the fair after all the “serious” show competitions and events. It’s time to unwind and have some fun. Thank you Micki for texting me pictures from earlier in the evening. By the time I got to the arena Willy’s paint was starting to rub off from the saddle and reins. I love watching the 4-H horse kids. I was a horse crazy when I was a kid and rode my bike into the country just to look at horses. Even though I didn’t own a horse, I joined 4-H and “borrowed” horses from club members, my first was a Quarter horse mare, Wimpy’s Kelly. I entered a few shows, but never really learned to “ride” and get a “seat” until college when a friend and I exercised roping horses at the local stable one summer.

The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses

Riding 3-4 horses a day taught you more in one day than a months worth of lessons. We even borrowed a cowboys horses an brought them to school one semester. When I became an adult and bought an acreage buying a horse was the first thing I did, her name was Tomcat Pat and she was a feisty energetic barrel and poles horse that loved to go trail riding. I was lucky enough to have her until she died at age 32, wish she were still around.

Patriotic Horse Costume Ideas and Resources

The Patriotic Horse – Stayton (Oregon) Daily Photo

Patriotic horse is patriotic. Or it’s just a coincidence it’s standing next to an American flag. Or is it? Yes, it is. Or not. This photo was taken along Sublimity Rd. SE, just outside of nearby Sublimity. In other news… Tomorrow is the …

Patriotic Horse Wear | Velvet Rider

Patriotic Horse Wear. July 3, 2014. Bookmark and Share. In honor of Independence Day, I decided to do a post on equestrian gear that celebrates our patriotism. There are options from subtle red, white, and blue to obvious flag references.

Patriotic Plume Browbands, Saddle Blankets and Rein Covers

WishPony.com to order your patriotic horse costume today! If placing custom orders for 4th of July (2011): Order by 5PM PST Wednesday June 15, 2011 for Standard Service Time and delivery by Saturday, July 2, 2011.

Patriotic Video That Gets It Right

July 5, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The Best Patriotic Video

Across the internet are scores of videos with patriotic songs, words, and performers that inspire and lift the heart. My plan this Independence Day weekend was to post several of my favorite patriotic videos here, and I had quite the list. But once I saw this ad by Food City centered around the true meaning of the holiday I changed my plans and only posted one.

The respect between these two men is overwhelming, and it’s a trait I see with people who serve in the military to those who have served before them.

As a Marine Mom this has special meaning to me. My two sons are in the United States Marine Corps and their grandfather was a WWII veteran and a paratrooper in the Army Airborne. He died in 1995, but would have been able to fit into his uniform. I could see him doing just this for one of his grandsons as they came home.

I normally don’t cry during patriotic videos, but I can’t help it on this one. The look on the Mothers face as she watches the two salute each other would bring a tear to even the hardest heart.

“At Food City, we honor those people that serve and protect our country, and we know that without the men and women who watch out for us, we would not have any of the luxuries we do. We are the land of the free because of the brave and we salute you!” Food City

It’s not often a company gets an ad right, but when they do it deserves recognition. I know these are actors, and not everything in the video may be accurate, but it accomplishes what it was meant to do. Remind the public that holidays such as Memorial Day, and Independence Day, often referred to as the 4th of July, are not just about picnics, barbecues and parties. But about recognizing why we celebrate our country’s freedom. It’s because of the brave men and women of our military, who for hundreds of years have fought for freedom so we can have the rights we have today.

If you have a favorite patriotic video please place the link below, I would love to see it and may even create a regular feature on either #MilitaryMonday or #WarriorWednesday

Memorial Day Patriotism

May 25, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The Internet and Social Media Patriotism

I’m so glad to see Memorial Day patriotism spread all over the vast social media networks, including Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter. People may criticize social media, call it a waste of time, snippets of fluff, but I do think one positive aspect of short exchanges of sentiment can be a statement of not only what you had for breakfast, but a reminder of what really matters in life.

Memorial day photos, MEMEs, and military tributes are covering the internet, signs of patriotism, love of country, and respect for our military. This is a good thing. In these days of political squabbles and infighting let’s not forget our men and women in the armed forces:the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, who have given the ultimate price and died serving our country and freedom.

I have combined my three passions (Quarters) photography, graphic design, and the military to give you the image below. Please feel free to share with your friends and family this holiday weekend.

Memorial Day Patriotism — Let us not ever forget, but always remember the reason for Memorial Day.

“Memorial Day,” a poem by Wallace Bruce, is the source of this patriotic quote. The poem was first published in a book called Wanderers in 1907. The glorious men “who kept the faith and fought the fight” are the soldiers who fought and died for their country; the citizens who owe their freedom to these individuals now have the duty to uphold the values for which these soldiers fought. Specifically, the poem is about the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. source

So this weekend, go to your picnics, enjoy your barbecues, throw a steak on the grill, but also take time to visit a cemetery, attend a Memorial Day parade or ceremony. Just think and reflect that while you are enjoying your life and freedom soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen fought in many wars before your time to ensure the freedom and rights of the United States of America.

Memorial Day Memorial Day for Kids Memorial Day Surprise The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans

After our annual trip to the town cemetery for a service and recognition I will head over to the senior center where lunch is served for the town and then to the GAR Hall to stroll through our Veterans Museum.

I’d like to know your holiday traditions and how you spend Memorial Day weekend, leave me a comment below and share how your town recognizes this patriotic holiday.

12 Interesting Facts About Flag Day

June 14, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Flag Day is rarely observed by a large population of the United States, but it is one of the oldest American Holidays dating back to 1861, in all places, my birth place, Hartford Connecticut. Today take time to celebrate Flag Day with a little flag history, a little patriotic music, and show your pride by waving or displaying an American flag not only today but everyday.

Facts About Flag Day

George Morris held the first unofficial Flag Day in 1861, but the idea didn’t catch on. (source)
In 1885 Bernard J Cigrand from Waubeka, Wisconson held the first recognized Flag Day
The Flag Day Association was founded in 1888 in Western Pennsylvania.
June 14 was proclaimed as the first Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson.
School teacher Bernard Cigrand is credited by the National Flag Day Foundation for leading the charge, resulting in a Congressional declaration in 1949 by President Harry Truman
Pennsylvania is the only state to have Flag Day as a state holiday.
Fairfield Washington has the longest running Flag Day Parade and has held it every year (but one) since 1909.
Flag Day is also the birthday of the United States Army, founded on June 14, 1775.
Only the president and governors of a state can order flags on government buildings to be flown at half staff (23 Facts About the Flag)
The original American flag had 13 stars; there have been 27 additions between 1777 and 1960.
According to the History Channel., the date was picked according to the date the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
According to PBS: Red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white symbolizes purity and innocence; blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Flag Day (Holiday Histories)Flag Day (First Step Nonfiction – American Holidays)

While not necessarily a fact on the American flag I though it interesting that the study of flags is called vexillogy

There shouldn’t be a perfect day, or week, to fly the American flag and show patriotism in the United States. It should be a feeling of every American to show their pride in the country in which they live every day. I am proud to live in this great country of ours. We have freedom and opportunity around every corner if people would just take advantage of their own skills and talent.

The below video includes my photography of average Americans celebrating their pride and patriotism in America. The song was written by my friend Steve Raybine, a jazz musician from Omaha Nebraska.

“America, how I love you, long may our flag ever wave..”

Americans are a gracious and generous people. We are proud of our country and the ideals for which we were founded. Religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom to congregate, and freedom of free press. The internet and technology has given millions of people a vehicle to exercise that freedom and this is my platform.

Where to Buy American Made Flags

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History of Flag Day

Flag Day: What it means

WASHINGTON — What’s Flag Day? It’s the American celebration of the birthday of the Stars and Stripes. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a resolution “that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes of alternate …

A brief history of Flag Day

In the late 19^th century, schoolteachers all over the United States began conducting patriotic ceremonies commemorating Flag Day as a way to teach children about history. One such schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand, is often referred to as the “Father …

Flag Day 2015: Top 3 Historical Facts to Help You Understand Why This is a Thing

It is Flag Day 2015, folks! How excited are you?! Or, are you just discovering that it’s Flag Day because we just told you? Well, don’t worry – you’re in the same boat as so many people across this great land. Therefore, MStars News has grabbed a few …

Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. flag …

WAUBEKA — Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th — and it commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14th, 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that …

American Flag Day – Tis the Star Spangled Banner | www …

Did you ever see the Movie “Not without my Daughter”? It is based on a true story about an American woman who marries an Iranian who convinces her and their daughter to visit his family in Iran. Once there, he refuses to let …