A day to reflect on the lives lost -- military and civilians -- in our nation's initial fight for freedom and the daily battle to maintain that freedom ever since.
Cities and towns and communities large and small throughout the United States mark the holiday -- primarily with fireworks.
But it is the small communities that really make the day and occasion with parades, daylong celebrations with music, dancing, games and food.
A parade kicked off the day at 8 a.m. And then the Plaza came alive with hours of games and entertainment.
There was face painting (handled, of course, by the school art teacher), and a dunking booth, wet sponge throw (at live volunteers offering up faces on Bart Simpson's body), a dart throw, three-legged races, a watermelon-eating contest and much more.
For the adults, music throughout the day
Generally it's a day of stifling temperatures, but this year cool weather prevailed and sprinkles came and went during the day. After park events concluded for the day but before it was time for the fireworks, the community even received a much-needed and always welcome thunderstorm.
The day's high was reported as only 85 degrees (according to Earth Only), but the extra humidity made it seem much warmer -- especially since desert dwellers are so accustomed to dry, dry, dry. Early morning showers and the afternoon thunderstorm combined for about 0.25 of an inch of rain.
