Happy 4th of July!

**Aplomb** · July 1st, 2006, 15:19

Happy 4th of July! Have fun and keep safe.

By the way, my sentiments are in the paper, and I am amazed that they were actually recorded to accurately reflect what I said and weren't twisted and used to say something else. Thanks Joe, I appreciate that.

By Joseph Garcia, Rocky Mountain News
June 30, 2006

Despite high fire danger throughout most of Colorado, for many a Fourth of July without a home fireworks display is like Christmas without a Christmas tree.

This summer ranks among Colorado's driest, and with fire bans declared across much of the state, it's getting harder for those buying and selling fireworks.

The keyword is "harder."

Not impossible.

Metro residents wanting to celebrate the Fourth of July explosively still visit fireworks stands that are set up in unincorporated parts of Adams, Arapahoe and Boulder counties.

"Everyone likes fireworks," said Theresa Navarra, 40, as she left Winco Fireworks on West 55th Avenue and Federal Boulevard with her two kids.

"It's just fun. It's the tradition of it."

Navarra said that even though there has been a lot of publicity on the fireworks laws in Denver where she lives, she will still be lighting fireworks at a family member's house outside the city.

"We'll just be careful," she said. "There's safe places to light them."

The popularity of fireworks stands around this time of year isn't news to Denver Fire Department spokeswoman Heather Green.

"I'm not surprised at all," she said. "We just hope that with all of our public announcements, people think about it before purchasing and especially using fireworks."

Starting tonight, about 10 firework enforcement teams, consisting of one police officer and one firefighter in a squad car, will patrol Denver looking for violators of the fireworks laws, and will continue patrolling until July 9.

Officials are recommending people visit one of their local professional fireworks shows.

"We're going to see them, too," Navarra said. "Sometimes you see fireworks shows, then go over a friend's house and have your own shows."

But some stand owners don't think the professional shows are satisfying enough.

"If shows were the answer we wouldn't be in business," said Frank Elliot, manager of Fire King Fireworks near I-76 on Federal Boulevard.

Some customers agree. "It's more fun to be in control of your own fun on a night of celebration," said John Petrovich, 18. "It's about freedom."

"To Christmas, it is the Christmas tree and with the Fourth of July, it's fireworks," said Larry Russell, owner of R&K Fireworks in Weld and Boulder counties, said.

Russell said fire departments would do themselves a huge favor to focus on safety education instead of prohibiting fireworks. "An unenforceable law only breeds contempt for the law itself," he said.
Petrovich's mom, Julie, said that safety is an important issue when it comes to her family's use of fireworks. "We always leave a bucket with water in it so we can extinguish the fireworks if we need to," she said.

Call me a ham.

**Aplomb** · July 1st, 2006, 19:37

Here's the link. I think. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...812445,00.html

**American Patriot** · July 2nd, 2006, 20:12

lol

**Sean Osborne** · July 3rd, 2006, 13:01

Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep.
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream
'Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation,
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven - rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto --"In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

May God Bless and Keep these United States of America!
A Very Happy Fourth of July to All!

**American Patriot** · July 3rd, 2006, 14:32

Happy Fourth.

Remember that Freedom is not free, America is not the youngest country in the world any more, but we're the most powerful. With power comes responsibility. With our freedoms, such as the freedom of speech, it is important that all Americans remember to be responsible with their speech.

Most importantly, America is YOUR country, treat it well and America will treat you will.

May every Independence Day remind us once again of the men who stood up to tyranny in the past, and may they each and every one be an example that each of lives by.

By the way, to all the other Veternans on this site and reading here -- from a fellow Vet. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!