Happy July 4 to all. Thank you, veterans.

Recipe for a perfect Independence Day

• 1 patriotic couple – a retired 3-star general who had worked in the White House after 2 rigorous tours in Vietnam and his wife, who raised the kids while he was gone

• 4 children with SOs

• 8 grandchildren

• Multiple cousins and friends, all ages

• 1 oceanfront home on a sunny day in Oceanside, CA

• 3 kayaks and a Frisbee

• 15+ colorful beach towels and sunscreen

• Hamburgers, hot dogs, plenty of beer, wine, water and soft drinks

 And the pièce de resistance – a round robin reading of the Declaration of Independence, late afternoon, with everyone participating, young readers to older veterans, all of us sandy and flush from our day on the beach, united in appreciation for the United States of America, its blessings and our freedoms.

 We enjoyed that special day 12 times when we lived in San Diego. Though I know we always watched the fireworks when it got dark, I don’t remember those.

 I will never forget listening to the Declaration of Independence, the words that sounded like poetry and faith, coming from the mouths of reverent readers who had given years of their lives and lost friends in war zones, and from the kids too young to appreciate the meaning of what they were saying.

 I texted our friends (now 90, who read the document in the afternoon surrounded by friends and family as usual) yesterday to thank them for the treasured memories. Wish we could have been with them today, and even more, I wish the country was unified and looking forward with a shared vision for our future. But I’ll think about that again tomorrow. Today, I just want to thank everyone in the military who does or did serve our country, and to those who kept their families together at home while they worked.

Now, I’m off to re-read the Declaration of Independence.