This year, I read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes aloud to the children.  Every day, for just a little while, we were transported back to Colonial Boston, as events came together that would sweep our Founding Fathers into the American Revolution.  We were inspired by big ideas -- freedom from tyranny, a new kind of government.  And by heroes -- ordinary men who believed in the dream enough to die for it.

"We are lucky men," he murmured, "for we have a cause worth dying for.  This honor is not given to every generation."

And later . . .

"We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skills . . . we fight, we die, for a simple thing.  Only that a man can stand up."    

Happy Fourth of July everyone!