With over one year to go, candidates for various offices in the 2004 elections were out in full force for the Fourth of July. Parades, picnics, and fireworks are tailor made for patriotic speeches, handshaking, baby kissing, and campaigning. But, this Fourth of July was much better than many in recent years.

More than a year has passed since the events of September 11th. Since then, there have been no more massive attacks. Instead, the United States has waged and won a war in Iraq, and celebrated the return of a proud and powerful military that has shown its might and proven its resilience.

The swagger of American walk and talk has returned with reestablished prominence in the world community and an appreciation for meaning what you say and saying what you mean. As a result, there were emotional cheers as parades honoring returning heroes marched through in towns and communities across Georgia filled with ordinary people celebrating in extraordinary ways the United States’ independence. There were remembrances of heroes who have not or will not return for the sacrifices that they and their families have made in the name of freedom, much in the same vein as those revolutionary heroes of over two hundred years ago.

And, there was the pride. Tearful at times, but humbled always, at the enormous cost of freedom, whether here at home or abroad, for others who have yet to know the full extent that freedom means for them and their children. And so, the politicians reveled in the atmosphere of a grateful country. One that permits its citizens to elect their leaders by ballot, sacrifices the lives of its young men and women for the sake of freedom, and, celebrates its independence in such a remarkable way.

Busily, political activists flexed their muscles to show how many volunteers could be rounded up to march in the parade or staff the booths at the picnics. This far out, it is only the activists that have cast their lots in favor of one camp or the other, whether within the Party’s ranks, or in favor of a Party’s obvious political nominee.

While Georgia Republicans cheered their Republican President and Republican Governor, they feared the primaries that lie ahead in the United States Senate race and two United States Congressional races. Georgia Democrats continued to search for those elusive contenders to challenge in the Senate race and in Congressional races they believe to be rightfully theirs based on their reapportionment efforts.

Incumbents of both Parties enjoyed the accoutrements of their offices. Challengers scurried about taking advantage of any available live microphone, open slot in the parade, or gathering of more than a couple people.

And Georgians, like citizens across America, waved their flags - not the new or old Georgia flag, but the flag of the United States of America – old red, white and blue, that Star Spangled Banner. While the bands played, and the soldiers marched, and the politicians spoke, and the fireworks showed their red glare, America celebrated Her birthday free - free to sing or speak; free to pray or reflect; free to eat or drink; free to march or look on; free to just watch in amazement.