For most of the country, the Fourth of July means fireworks, cookouts, and a long weekend by the pool. For military families, it means all of that, plus something else: an awareness of what the day actually represents, and who has spent their lives making sure it can still be celebrated.
The View From the Other Side of Service
If you have served, or love someone who has, the Fourth of July probably feels a little different than it does for everyone else. That perspective does not make the holiday less fun, it makes it more meaningful. Every burger off the grill, every kid running around with a sparkler, every neighbor waving an American flag is possible because of a long line of people who raised their hand and said they would carry that responsibility.
It is easy to think of Independence Day as a celebration of the past, something that happened in 1776 and gets commemorated every year after. But for the military community, it is also a celebration of the present and an ongoing commitment. Every generation since has had its own service members stepping up to protect what was started over two centuries ago.
Ways to Show Up for Military Families This Fourth
Whether you are part of the military community or just want to show appreciation for those who are, small gestures go a long way, especially around a holiday that can be bittersweet for families separated from a service member.
Here are a few ways to make the day a little brighter for someone:
- Invite a military family in your neighborhood to your Fourth of July gathering
- Send a message to a deployed service member letting them know that they are thought of
- Attend a local parade of ceremony honoring veterans and active duty members
- Support a veteran owned business while you shop for the holiday
There are many everyday ways to show up for the families who serve alongside their service members.
From Our Family to Yours
At Omni Financial, we have spent decades working alongside the military community, and not a single one of those years has gone by without us being reminded of what this country owes to the people who serve it. This Fourth of July, we want to take a moment to say thank you. To those currently serving, to those who have served, and to the families who serve right alongside them, your sacrifices are the reason the rest of us get to celebrate today at all.
Happy Fourth of July, from all of us at Omni!
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