Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July! This is one of my favorite holidays. I love going to my parents’ house  where we spend most of the day eating things like grilled ribs/burgers, delicious homemade potato salad, and all kinds of red, white, and blue decorated desserts.

All of us here at Kirklands wish you a very happy 4th! Also, please note that our shop and office will be closed tomorrow, July 4th, and Friday, July 5th. We will return Monday, July 8th.

In the mean time, I’d like to leave you with some pictures of why I love this holiday…

Meat on Sticks

Independence Day Parades

Fireworks and Flags

The American Hotdog

The Declaration–where it all started.

Crew members of a US Army BlackHawk helicopter hold an American flag as they pose with five returning Wounded Warriors at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, December 29, 2009. (left to right): Captain Sam Brown of San Antonio, Texas, Sergeant First Class Josh Olson of Spokane, Washington, Sergeant First Class Mike Schlitz of Moline, Illinois, Sergeant Bill Congleton (Retired) of Sutherlin, Oregon and First Lieutenant Jim Kirchner (Retired) of Douglasville, Georgia. Co-sponsored by the USO and the Troops First Foundation, the program is designed to help bring closure to wounded service members who have been injured in combat, the group will be retracing their steps to the areas they once patrolled. USO Photo by Mike Theiler

Sailors, their families, and Japanese guests watch a fireworks display as part of a 4th of July celebration at Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

Sparklers

Family Time and Backyard Games

A Living Flag made with soldiers standing in formation.

Fireworks and the Statue of Liberty

Confetti rains down at the completion of the song Stars and Stripes Forever during the 35th Boston Pops Orchestra and Fireworks Spectacular

Fireworks explode and highlight an FA 18A Hornet

Newly commissioned Navy and Marine Corps officers toss their hats during the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2011 graduation and commissioning ceremony.

Soldiers wave American flags as they are recognized at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis Independence Day.

Member of Coast Guard Station Bostons Harbor Defense Team maintains a sharp lookout during the Fourth of July fireworks.

Flag unfurling during pre-race ceremonies at Milwaukee Mile Racetrack

Flags at a Memorial Wall

Sons welcoming their dad home.

Boy’s dad is his hero

A family embrace

Happy son and wife to see Dad home again.

Mom is happy to see her daughter again.

Dad is happy to see his daughter again

Happy Independence Day! Let us all take a beat tomorrow and remember the reason why we celebrate: the men and women who are serving and/or have given their lives so we can celebrate and the families of these brave soldiers.