Letter to the Editor: Independence Day and the Military

I am afraid I have to take exception to a letter in last week’s Pulse that claimed the military had nothing to do with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. 

First, a little history check. The war with Britain had begun in April of 1775 when shots were fired on the greens of Lexington and Concord. The Continental Army, formed June 14, 1775, was under the command of George Washington and funded by the Continental Congress. This date, in 1775, is considered the birthday of the U.S. Army and by July 4, 1776 it had already been involved in 25 battles with the British. Signers of the Declaration of Independence were also members of their state’s local militias. So yes, the military did have a role at this stage in our history and it has also played an important role in maintaining our freedoms over the years.

President Trump’s effort to recognize our military on the 4th with a few tanks and flyovers is more in keeping with what the day should stand for than the hot dog eating contests, cook-outs, and appliance and mattress sales that are celebrated instead. No one complains when there are flyovers at sporting events and who doesn’t love a military band or applaud our veterans when they pass by in our local parades.

I agree with the letter’s author letter that we should celebrate the fact that we are lucky to live in a democracy but I won’t be getting upset over the President’s show of patriotism on the 4th.

Kathy Saladin

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin