"The Price of Independence" (Decorated Gravestones, Hamilton Cemetery) Nikon D300, 34mm, F/13, 1/640s, -0.3EV, ISO 400, 'Old West' Toning Action
"Some Gave All" (Decorated Grave of 1812 War Veteran, Hamilton Cemetery) Nikon D300, 28mm, F/14, 1/500s, -0.3EV, ISO 400, 'Old West' Toning Action
Up until that moment, I’d been thinking of the upcoming Fourth of July weekend only in terms of days off from work, lazy afternoons spent poolside, backyard barbecues and fireworks.
Standing in that cemetery amidst the quiet rows, I was acutely reminded of the everyday freedom I’d been born into and sadly, most often take for granted.
How often do you think of your freedom? Some probably more than others, but I know I don’t nearly enough. Perhaps it is because the thought that someone died so that I can wander freely about my country, go whereever I may, say whatever I feel and think whatever I want,
"The Cross They Bear" (Decorated Gravestones, Hamilton Cemetery) Nikon D300, 48mm, F/8, 1/320s, ISO 400, 'Old West' Toning Action
is more than I can grasp on an everyday basis.
"Of Church and State" (Hamilton Cemetery and First Congregational Church) Nikon D300, 28mm, F/16, 1/8000s, -1.0EV, ISO 400, 'Old West' Toning Action
It’s a good thing then, there are designated patriotic holidays acting like the proverbial slap to the back of the head yelling,
‘Hey! You know it wasn’t always THIS easy, right? SEE all those flags? Men and women actually fought and died for this country. For you. Think about that and for Pete’s sake, show some RESPECT!’
So, to the forefathers of this country who bravely gave all they had to declare our independence, and to all the soldiers and patriots who have since committed to protecting our national freedoms at any cost, I simply say ‘thank you’, knowing full well, it will never be enough.
Happy Fourth! 
