blessings. passions. and life.: save some grass. thank a fireman.

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy Birthday to the United States of America!!

And Happy Day Off to (most of) us Americans!!

(source)

Ok.

Raise your hand if you know a fireman.

Or police officer.

Or EMT.

Maybe it's just me, the fact that I have a firefighter in my family, have had multiple EMTs in the family, have become friends with another fireman, the fact that my kids are delivering cookies to firemen for kindness week, all the pictures of the Colorado fire, the fireworks ban, or the lack of rain..

(or a mixture of all of the above)

but I've actually been thinking a lot about this holiday and what it means for those who still have to work.

First, let me express how thankful I am to all of our veterans and everyone who is currently in active duty. They fight daily for our freedom.
Without them fighting for our freedom, I may not be able to express myself in my blog.
I'm incredibly thankful for everything that they do for me and our country.

I also believe there are some other "silent" heroes that deserve a big THANK YOU this holiday season.

For all you "out of towners,"

We're in the middle of one of the biggest droughts ever.

Which I am aware isn't "news".

But out by the Elkhart Airport? All black. As in no more grass.
Because it all caught on fire.

All because someone threw a cigarette butt out the window as they were driving down the road.

That's all it takes folks.

Our county (along with most of northern Indiana) has now issued a fireworks ban until July 10. Possibly longer.

And people are complaining.

Am I disappointed that there are no fireworks for the 4th of July?

Absolutely.

But do I understand?

Absolutely.

All I keep thinking about is all those firemen, police officers, and EMTs who can't spend the 4th of July with their family because they have to be on call and ready to go at a moments notice.

Especially with this drought.

It wouldn't take much to start a huge fire.