Opinion : Letter to the Editor: This 4th in Vinton

This 4th was not a celebration, clearly, but a recognition of the boundaries of our illusions of freedom and that our institutions have all but collapsed, long hollowed of all Spirit that ever indwelled them.

This 4th was a bitter recognition that access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, is subject to determination by agencies and institutions with no rightful authority over our lives.

This 4th, people have been told to not gather, not to congregate, not to combine their energies minds or spirits, not to contemplate nor be able to openly share ideas.

This 4th, like our fireworks display, discouraged songs, laughter, playfulness, shared experiences, community and fond memories.

This 4th was dark enough to make one wonder if the Spirit of Freedom will ever be revived.

This 4th is very symbolic in signalling that the Age of Liberty had already matured and is now being harvested - a harvest we have all by some degree participated in and allowed.

This 4th,the flags waved silently down an empty Main Street for a procession that had long since passed.

How is it again, we all claim to have met under the Tree of Liberty?

What was that power we had in Assembly, and will it again ever be?

Will a future generation have the Courage, Wisdom and Faith of our predecessors and yearn to be free with a likewise unquenchable God given Right that the Restrainer had, until now, struggled always to contain?

Richard Siemsen