HALIFAX — There is no place better to celebrate Independence Day than in the

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birthplace of independence, the town of Halifax site of the adoption of the

Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776, the first official declaration of

independence from England by any colony.

If evidenced by the number of vehicles and people in the town on July 4th,

there are many who agree. Being in such a historic venue and with the recent

deaths of four North Carolina National Guardsmen in Iraq, our military

personnel were on the hearts and minds of many in attendance at the July

Fourth celebration.

Our local United States army recruiter, Staff Sgt. Darrick McGee, gave 2,000

small American flags to the waiting crowd. Though the flags were small, the

feeling was great as people waved the flags to the swells of the national

anthem and other patriotic selections.

Spectators were asked their thoughts on our armed forces this Independence

Day.

"I appreciate their service. It takes a special person to serve in the

military," said Shelly Strickland. "It makes me stop and think that we would

not be able to enjoy tonight if not for them."

Pam Norton echoed that sentiment most profoundly as her son Jason "J.D."

Norton, 29, is a petty officer 2nd class in the United States Navy currently

serving in Afghanistan. His wife and daughter are in Washington State. J.D.

has been gone since Mother¹s Day.

"I think about all the boys. He (J.D.) says that he appreciates all our

prayers, but he asks for us to pray for those who have been lost because

they were fathers too," said Norton. Two of J.D.'s friends were killed on

Fathers' Day.

Although J.D. has been in the military for 10 years, this is the first time

he has served in a war zone. "It is tough on a mama's heart. They are not

over there because they have to; they choose to protect our freedom,"

commented Norton.

The poignancy of Norton's statements were not lost on Army veteran Cliff

Bass, who has two nephews serving in the Army and one who is a Navy Seal.

"At lunch today we prayed about how appreciative we are of our freedom and

what our military does for us," he said. "We are so thankful for all the

sacrifices they make."

Laura Tripp, a high school senior from Halifax, knows many young men serving

in the military. "I have a lot of friends over in Iraq and Afghanistan. They

are fighting so we can continue to enjoy our freedom and days like July

Fourth," Tripp said. "Some people my age don't realize what is going on over

there, but they need to stop and think."

In the midst of the festivities, Halifax County Commissioner Rives Manning,

Sen. Ed Jones and others recognized Halifax County's 250th anniversary (the

county was founded on July 1, 1758).

Local historian Florine Bell recalled our history as she thought about our

soldiers.

"It is a pleasure to be here in Historic Halifax on this Independence Day,

especially when I think about those who are presently on the battlefield in

far off places fighting for the freedom and pleasure we enjoy this evening,"

said Bell. "Freedom rings on through our military forces."