By: Diane Benjamin
Maybe a bunch of Bloomington-Normal residents went to Downs for fireworks.
Maybe the people of Downs just turned despicable in one year.
I don’t know where the people were from, but I won’t be going back to Downs.
If used to be great. Patriotic, good fireworks, fun family atmosphere. Not this year.
I’ve been going to Downs for at least 25 years. The trees have gotten bigger, so people have gradually moved closer to where the fireworks are set off. Saturday night people were NEEDLESSLY half way across the field. I hope hot embers landed on you! (Okay, maybe not)
The fire truck didn’t circle the field with lights and sirens. Maybe all the trucks were out on calls, or maybe they couldn’t because of all the people on the field. They should have been told to move back! There was plenty of room behind them.
Something far more troubling happened though.
About 9:15 the US Flag at the far end of the field was illuminated. The flag was an impressive sight against the blackness surrounding it. Shortly after a female sang an acapella version of the Star Spangled Banner. It wasn’t nearly loud enough since the sound system was located in Dooley Park, but it could be heard.
The crowd didn’t care. Nobody stood. Nobody got quiet. Parents didn’t hush their kids or tell them to stop for 2 minutes and listen.
Yes, the crowd heard the National Anthem because they applauded when it was over. Yippee! I’ve never witnessed such disrespect for our flag, our national anthem, and therefore the country.
I wonder if Tri-Valley quit teaching patriotism and what the national anthem means? Maybe they should have classes for the parents who have no idea what July 4th means.
I’ve walked in the Towanda parade for some years now. Instead of throwing candy to the kids I ask them questions about their country. In past years I’ve asked simple stuff like “Name a Founding Father”. I heard Abraham Lincoln over and over and over.
This year I asked what 2 Presidents died on July 4th 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. I got at least 3 JFKs. Once I told them to think a lot longer ago, many jumped to George Washington. At least they were closer.
(correct answer is Jefferson and John Adams)
One more thing about Downs. For years there was an amazing displaying of selflessness when the crowds left. Drivers actually took turns, even if one had the right-of-way. The people were capable of controlling traffic themselves! There was no mad dash to exit without regard to somebody sitting for 15 minutes waiting for a break in the traffic. That caring tradition is now gone too.
I hear the President wants to change how July 4th is celebrated. No surprise there – fundamental transformation. His plans appear to be working. The masses no longer understand American exceptionalism and the greatness of the Constitution. If the National Anthem no longer garners respect, what does?
July 4th is much more than a day off. Evidently, a lot of people don’t know. Next year I’ll be staying home and watching fireworks all around me. It won’t be as much fun as being up close. I can play the Star Spangled Banner and think about Francis Scott Key writing it. I can remember when the people thought freedom was worth fighting for.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
Something tells me more Bloomington people went to Downs, plus they are “spreading” and it is often the ones that should just say in bigger cities that move to smaller towns and start messing up the surrounding smaller towns and thus begin their decline. I have gone to Downs a few times too because it was always better than the ones in BloNo – Sorry to hear that this year things weren’t quite the same. as to the questions asked of kids – I work with kids and for the most part their utter ignorance of history is jaw dropping, and sad. I do my best to remedy that though the best I can and at least awaken some curiosity in them beyond what app is for what and what apps are free and which phone is best.
Considering the parents are close by, I hope to awaken them too.
My children would have named many Founding Fathers and would have known the two presidents that died on the same day on the 4th, 50 years after the signing They also know that James Monroe died on the 4th, too, Just a different year. I remember when we lived in VA and went to DC and saw the portrait of the signing on the Archives ceiling. My younger two were in 3rd and 1st grade and they were listing off facts that high school students in line behind us were shocked about and said, “They know more than we do.”
Congrats! I hope more people start home schooling. The kids turn out amazing!
Respect for the U.S. flag and what it symbolizes is learned by example. The days of saying the Pledge of Allegiance with hand over heart isn’t promoted (or allowed?) in schools anymore. Those whose family or friends served in the military are more apt to understand the meaning of the flag and the freedom and sacrifice it embodies. Respect for one another is also learned by the same means.
That’s very sad. My grandkids knew every patriotic song played at Peoria fireworks & proudly stood for the pledge of allegiance & sang the national anthem. Parents & grandparents have to be the ones to pass down history & respect!
As a response to the Common Core ignorance taught in today’s schools, an excellent American history book for those homeschooling and for those looking for an unvarnished, un-PC history of the greatest country to ever exist, try
“A Patriot’s History of the United States”, 2004, By Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen. Don’t know if they have updated the book since then but If anyone is interested, I can try to contact Larry, who is a bud on an internet forum. It is well worth the time and money.