I loved the Fourth. I mean, as an 11-year-old back in those halcyon days of the ’50’s, who wouldn’t have?

Up in the morn, gobbling down Corn Flakes, running down Skinner to the park, joining the guys and excitedly heading up the street to take in the parade. We settled down on the corner of Main and Mary, reveling at the beauty of the drum majorettes leading the high school band resplendent in purple and white uniforms. Then came amarchin the Military Band in its gray wool “unies” in the 90-degree heat, followed by floats, fire trucks, other marching groups and, our favorites, the 49ers tossing candy into the crowd.

After the parade, we hustled up to Eastern Park for the speeches which we never listened to. Rather, we snuck around and shot off firecrackers near unsuspecting attendees. Went home, ate, went back to the park for the sparklers show. Can still remember them lighting up the evening sky like fireflies in the night. And oh yeah — the cherry bombs. ‘Nuff said. Back up the hill to enjoy a late snack of apple pie with homemade whipped cream. Went to bed with a huge smile on my face and slept like a baby. That experience back then reminded me of what made this country great; people-average Tom, Dick and Harriets. They still do.

So too for Black people. Like the c. 5000 who saw combat during the Revolutionary War. They served an average of four and a half years, eight times longer than their white brothers in arms, and fought with exemplary courage as personified by Salem Poor, Oliver Cromwell and Luther Latham. Google them up. Sadly, their contributions weren’t enough to earn slaves their freedom or freedmen better lives.

African-American sacrifices in future wars made us great. During the Civil War, 180,000 “Colored Troops” fought, with c. 40,000 dying for the Union. Nineteen Buffalo Soldiers received the Medal of Honor fighting in the Indian Wars. None other than the iconic General Jack (nicknamed “Black Jack” due to his close relationship with Black troops) said regarding their performance during the Spanish-American War: “They fought their way into the hearts of the American people.” The entire 369th Infantry Regiment received France’s highest award, the Croix de Guerre, while fighting under French commanders during WWI. They weren’t competent enough to be fighting for us. The Tuskegee Airmen, including Rome’s own Herb Thorpe, flew with distinction during WWII. 1500 Blacks were KIA in Korea and thousands more killed and wounded in “Nam.

Can’t forget Sgt. First Class Joseph McKay who, along with Fallen Star Marc Palmateer, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on June 26, 2008. A Black man and a white man fighting and dying, only this time not for their independence, but for someone else’s. His best friend Newt Baptiste observed that, “He always said on his birthday everybody celebrates.” Sgt. Joe McKay was a true nephew of his Uncle Sam, born on the Fourth of July.

Their reward for giving their all for the country? Four thousand lynchings between 1877 and 1950, becoming carrion for Jim Crow (segregation laws) and forced to wallow until today (“war” against DEI) in the toxic waste of systemic racism. Despite it all, their service made us great.

Native Americans like Woodrow Wilson Keeble, a Lakota member of the Lake Traverse Reservation, made us great. A child of extreme poverty and survivor of Wahpeton Indian School, he was so proficient a pitcher that he was recruited by the Chicago White Sox. His dream of pitching in the majors was shattered when his National Guard unit called on Feb. 10, 1941. Thus began one of the most remarkable careers in American military history. Check him out on Wikipedia. When WWII finished, Woodie, twice wounded, returned home with a Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device and Purple Heart. But no Medal of Honor. Note: 25,000 Native Americans served with honor during WWII, including the star-crossed Pima, Marine Ira Hayes, who helped plant the flag on Mt. Suribachi.

But the tall warrior wasn’t finished. After getting a job at the Indian School and hitched, his regiment was reactivated on Jan. 16, 1951. Korean War. Although he wasn’t made to, Sgt. Keeble volunteered for deployment. When asked why, the gentle giant responded, “Somebody has to teach these kids how to fight.” Between the 15th and 20th of October, the lesson he taught them would never be forgotten. Again, check out his exploits on Wikipedia. In a nutshell, he singlehandedly destroyed three machine gun bunkers and an additional seven enemy soldiers in nearby trenches.

They say on certain cold autumnal days the wind which blows perpetually across the rolling prairies of the Dakotas is mindful of a distant trumpet sounding Taps in honor of Woodrow and the 28 other Native Americans who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their acts of heroism in the service of their country. It took years of cutting through bureaucratic red tape before the Master Sarge got his. Posthumously on March 3, 2008. Why the delay? He was an Indian. Despite the circumstances of life on the rez, he and his fellow warriors made us great.

The Nisei (Japanese-Americans) fighting in the 100th Infantry Brigade during World War II earned more than 18,000 individual decorations and suffered the highest casualty rate of any American unit while their families (over 100,000 people) were incarcerated in abominations generously called “internment camps.” FDR feared that they would become enemy collaborators. None ever were. Ironically, German-Americans were left alone. Too many to round up. The Japanese-Americans’ courage under fire and grace under incarceration made us great.

Finally, a shout out to everyday people who, in one way or another, make us great. People like Lenny and Amber down at Cliff’s. Their friendly greetings every morning when customers walk in for their papers and java never fail to brighten one’s day. Kudos to Westfield’s Nancy Cranston, an octogenarian who personifies the adage of making your tomorrow better than your yesterday.

Then there are the Sarges — Vietnam combat medics Den Thorp and Ron Schoonmaker whose service to the country did not end when they mustered out-both continuing to be active in their communities. And the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and Greater Herkimer Lions Club whose philanthropy has improved the lives of thousands over the years, particularly those of kids; backpacks in September, clothing and gifts at Christmas and last week-new bikes for the children of migrant workers. How about the volunteers at local food pantries, many over the age of 65, who guarantee that those in need will not go hungry. And our pastors who do more than preach Christ’s message of caring for the least among us (e.g. homeless) — they live it.

These are but a few of the thousands of people who made and make us great. And, God and government willing, thousands more are waiting in the wings. Happy Fourth to one and all.

“A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be ruler of a free people.” — Thomas Jefferson.

Ray Lenarcic is a 1965 State University of New York at Fredonia graduate and is a resident of Herkimer.