July 4th One-Liners
We asked Senior News readers and others for their quick thoughts on this 4th of July. Here are some of the responses.
• “I’m feeling more patriotic than usual this year, not less. I’m not sure why. Maybe because I’m worried.”
– Helen S., McKinleyville.
• “The 4th is my birthday. My parents had a big party with their friends. I did get cake.”
– Alex Stillman, Arcata.
• “The magic of July 4th fireworks streaming over Bass Lake when I was a child has morphed into tragedy in 2026. May we return to sanity!”
– Michele Francesconi, Trinidad.
• “This year I am not thinking of July 4th as just a holiday from doctor appointments. As a fairly new member of Daughters of the American Revolution, I think of the sacrifices my patriot ancestors and others made so I can enjoy the freedoms we have. I’m slogging through a book on the Boston Tea Party, which started it all, and am learning so much.”
– Jane Parks-McKay, Santa Cruz.
• “I wonder every day what happened to ‘liberty and justice for all.’”
– Julie Fulkerson, Eureka.
• One anonymous contributor who also celebrates France’s national independence day (1789) pointed out that July 14 is not only Bastille Day, but World National Nude Day. “That’s a form of freedom that perhaps not all should exercise,” he said.
• “I always look forward to traditional celebrations with our kids and grandkids. Such a happy time!”
– Mary Hunt, Arcata.
• “Somehow, this July 4th seems more weighty than most, and not just because it’s the 250th. I love the traditions of the 4th and will always remember my first fireworks. But this year, the stakes seem a lot higher than just parades and parties and hot dogs, you know? It feels like the country is under attack. I don’t know which I want to write about — fireworks or fear. I’ll let you know.”
– Samuel Tinder, Humboldt County.
—Ted Pease
