A Different, but Happy 4th

Guest Post
- by Tom Fletcher

The fourth of July has always been a special time for our family.  In addition to celebrating our great nation’s independence, we live in close proximity to the Esplanade Hatch Shell in Boston.  From our roof deck we can enjoy the music of the Boston Pops Orchestra as they perform their annual Independence Day concert, followed by some serious fireworks.   

image source: rentenna.com

In light of the Boston Marathon bombings in April and the two suspects apparent interest in targeting the July 4^th celebration, security was to say the least, very heavy.  Just on our street alone, using barricades the city closed it to automobile traffic on July 3^rd. A diagonally parked dump truck filled with sand blocked off one end of the street, while barricades closed the other.   Other nearby streets had big snowplows instead of large dump trucks. Throw in metal detectors, squad cars, dive teams, the National Guard, helicopters, and the occasional bomb squad, etc., it makes for a pretty expensive proposition.  I seriously can’t imagine what the city must have spent on the event.

Despite all the hoopla however, we really had a great 4^th.  As is our tradition, we proudly hung our 70 year old American flag a few days before the dump truck arrived.  The weather was hot but cloudless.  My son’s lemonade stand netted $70.  Children rode their bikes on the closed off streets. The grilled hamburgers and hot dogs never tasted better.  As the evening wore on and the music started, the area roof decks came alive with young and old eagerly anticipating the fireworks, which thankfully did not disappoint.  Can’t wait till next year!

Learn about Tom Fletcher 
 

The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is the company liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.