ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 1996 TAG: 9606250024
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA TUCKER-MAXWELL
WHAT HAS happened to our holidays, like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July? They seem to have become nothing more than another day to have big sales.
I remember these holidays with great fondness, and if it weren't for this newspaper, the Fourth of July would just be a day for more white sales. The paper's festival, "Music for Americans" - held each Fourth, rain or shine, at Victory Stadium - takes me back to my childhood:
Early in the morning, Mother would begin chopping up the vegetables for her potato salad. She had to make a lot - many aunts, uncles and cousins would be joining us.
Grandmother would get out the iron skillet and, after a trip out to the henhouse, would get down to the serious business of readying a tender hen or two, maybe even three, for that sizzling frying pan. Other relatives would bring food, but Mom's potato salad and Grandmother's chicken were the staples.
After all the goodies were packed, we got into the car for a short drive to the cemetery, where we watched a parade. Then, after singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the high-school bands, the Boy and Girl Scouts, military orders and fraternal clubs placed flags on the graves that bore stark white crosses or Stars of David while a single bugler played "Taps."
After visiting our relatives' resting places, we drove to the small ballpark that served pretty much like the stadium does here. We spread out our blankets and tablecloths. While state and city politicians made (sometimes) brief speeches, we ate and visited back and forth.
When it got dark and the natural fireworks we call fireflies began to rise from the dewy grass, Frank Albanese, an Italian immigrant who loved this country probably better than some of the natural-born citizens did, prepared to set off the hundreds of dollars worth of the fireworks that he saved money for each year. I can remember a quote he made in his halting English, when he was asked why he spent his hard-earned money in this fashion: "This country has been so good to me. It welcomed me with open arms. It gave me a home. It saved my homeland, my family. I salute the flag every day; today I salute the birthday of my U.S. of A."
The night sky would burst into rainbow colors; on the ground, the old-fashioned kind of fireworks, made up to look like Uncle Sam and the flag, would crackle. Spontaneous song would erupt, and the hillside would reverberate with booms and bugles.
I have been proud to be a part of the celebration that takes place in Roanoke. It has helped me believe that there are still some who place the correct emphasis on the day.
I am also proud to be the wife of a Korean War veteran. Let us not forget those who gave us the freedom to be able to continue to celebrate our nation's birthday.
Join them this Fourth of July and lift your spirits!
Sandra Tucker-Maxwell, a receptionist/administrative assistant at Newell Industrial Corp., is junior vice commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Unit 3, in Roanoke.
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