PHILADELPHIA—There’s hardly a extra patriotic place to have fun Independence Day than Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Structure. On July 4, Philadelphia turned out to have fun freedom and honor the historical past of the nation.
Wawa Welcome America festivities in Philadelphia spanned 16 days, together with free museum attendance, hoagie giveaways from Wawa, concert events, a fireworks finale over the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork, and extra—all free to the general public.
“Welcome America is simply a good time without cost household enjoyable. Folks come collectively and share the thrill,” Laurie Bruce, Public Relations Supervisor of Wawa, the occasion sponsor, instructed The Epoch Occasions, “It’s about holding individuals related, and it simply means rather a lot to have the ability to try this.”
Philadelphia’s premier celebration of July 4 began at Independence Corridor with a patriotic ceremony celebrating the 246th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It included singing by Miss America Emma Broyles, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra performances, and a studying of the Declaration of Independence.
“We’re all conscious of how a lot the world has modified during the last 250 years and simply how robust the final couple of years have been for us,” mentioned State Park Superintendent Cindy MacLeod in her Celebration of Freedom speech. “The necessity for understanding our historical past has by no means, by no means been higher. The necessity for taking part in our democracy has by no means been higher.”
“We’re completely happy, and all people is getting collectively to have fun,” Jim Kenney, the mayor of Philadelphia, instructed The Epoch Occasions, “When you see what’s occurring within the nation at this time, we’re so divided. And we have to come again collectively and type of rethink what we’re all about.”
After being placed on maintain since 2020 as a result of COVID-19, Salute to America Independence Day Parade returned this 12 months with Miss America 2022, Emma Broyles, because the grand marshal. Folks loved lavish floats, United States army items, marching bands, cultural teams, dance performances, historic characters, and far more.
Freedom Is Not Free
Folks like Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, understand how valuable freedom is. He felt “exceptionally humbling” to be in Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, “on the very second that when Ukraine fights for his freedom and independence, and when we’ve many individuals killed for the liberty.”
He instructed The Epoch Occasions: “It’s my honor at this time to learn the elements of the Declaration of Independence in entrance of the free residents of Philadelphia” through the ceremony, together with Iryna Mazur, honorary consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia.
“The US has a really lengthy, comparative lengthy historical past of preventing for freedom, and providing the safety to all people who find themselves persecuted of their international locations, and turning into the second residence to them,” mentioned Kyslytsya, “And the very textual content of the Declaration of Independence is an affidavit to the founding rules of this nation.”
“July 4, it’s concerning the Declaration of Independence,” Kyslytsya continued, “I feel that each American, each individuals, each one who lives on this nation, ought to learn at the very least as soon as the Declaration of Independence earlier than she or he goes to see the fireworks.”
Kyslytsya’s appreciation of freedom resonated with Mazur.
“Ukraine and Ukrainian individuals are a stay instance proper now that freedom will not be free,” Mazur instructed The Epoch Occasions. She mentioned what Ukrainians are doing at this time is what the People did nearly 250 years in the past after they fought for his or her independence and freedom. “America is understood for defending the rules of democracy and freedom since its creation.”
Mazur mentioned to individuals in authoritarian international locations like China and Russia: “Don’t lose your likelihood to be free. That is your likelihood to take issues into your arms and to point out the world you can be individuals of freedom.”
Each Kyslytsya and Mazur expressed nice gratitude to America. “Thanks a lot to your help, to your generosity, to your compassion, and for believing in Ukraine!” mentioned Mazur.
American Flag Unites Us
The winner of the 2022 Have a good time Freedom Award with a $10,000 grant is Dr. Matthew Burke, the founder and govt director of “10 CAN, Inc.” or the Christian Journey Community. It’s a nonprofit charitable group specializing in “saving heroes, elevating the subsequent era of warriors, and restoring households by means of the nice outside,” based on its web site.
“My youngsters see me as a hero, however I’m no hero. I’m only a humble servant of God and an American patriot. I’m captivated with serving to others, reuniting our nation, and getting youngsters into the outside,” Burke instructed the group after accepting his award on the ceremony.
As a veteran and an American patriot, Burke believes that this nation couldn’t have come this far as a free nation with out the sacrifice of many patriots.
“Patriotism was what unites us as a typical trigger,” Burke instructed The Epoch Occasions whereas holding a small American flag, “That is what unites us, the colours, the celebrities, and stripes. And with out this, we’re all people. And that is what retains us going. That is what unites us and makes us sturdy as a nation.”
Celebrating Independence Day and receiving the award made Burke really feel “completely happy, honored, unhappy, all on the similar time,” he mentioned. “The reason being the hate and division making an attempt to divide our nation. And the solids of the bulk do nothing. Then the loud minority, the people who find themselves attempting to destroy our nation, they win, and we’ve to face up, and we’ve to struggle for our independence, and we’ve to struggle for justice, equality, and variety.”
“We have to deal with what we’ve a commonality and as an alternative of our variations,” Burke believes.
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