Independence Day
How did you all celebrate the 4th growing up?
Media, the town a mile from us outside Philadelphia, had a big parade every 4th of July. At least, we thought it was big.
Between three houses: our house and the houses on either side, there were 17 children. The younger kids marched in the parade every year.
Politically, my parents were conservative Republicans and my neighbors were very liberal Democrats. But differences didn’t spill onto the kids.
One year we dressed as signers of the Declaration of Independence in white shirts and black peddle pushers, hair tied back. Another year we did the Spirit of '76. I limped barefoot and played Yankee Doodle on a flute.
In 1959, we did a special float—somebody’s red Radio Flyer wagon with a poster on it—to celebrate Hawaii's and Alaska's statehood.
After the parade there were competitions at Media HS field—everything from running to pie eating. I ran fast although never fast enough to win.
At night the whole family went to a park in Media, spread out blankets and watched fireworks.
Media, the town a mile from us outside Philadelphia, had a big parade every 4th of July. At least, we thought it was big.
Between three houses: our house and the houses on either side, there were 17 children. The younger kids marched in the parade every year.
Politically, my parents were conservative Republicans and my neighbors were very liberal Democrats. But differences didn’t spill onto the kids.
One year we dressed as signers of the Declaration of Independence in white shirts and black peddle pushers, hair tied back. Another year we did the Spirit of '76. I limped barefoot and played Yankee Doodle on a flute.
In 1959, we did a special float—somebody’s red Radio Flyer wagon with a poster on it—to celebrate Hawaii's and Alaska's statehood.
After the parade there were competitions at Media HS field—everything from running to pie eating. I ran fast although never fast enough to win.
At night the whole family went to a park in Media, spread out blankets and watched fireworks.
