July is the most patriotic month of the year for the obvious reason that fireworks are abundantly available and there is no taboo of setting the sky on fire long into the night on Independence Day. My favorite 4th of July had to be when I was 13 looking for excitement in the streets of New York City with my cousins and some friends. Some of the older kids’ siblings went out of state and managed to smuggle some freedom for us. The city was especially chaotic that evening. I do not think I’ve ever witnessed one like it – there were fireworks fired from the streets and the rooftops. Helicopters were flying around and the cops were scrambling from block to block trying to catch trouble-making teenagers. Washington Heights was alive with the smells of Latin food and American booms.
Usually, for a 4th of July, you would have elevated patrols but this was only a few years after 9/11 so law enforcement had a budget. NYPD was not messing around. The city was bursting with the spirit of rebellion, and I was the chosen one to carry the backpack. Why me? “You look innocent like you just came out of chess club or something.” Gee, Thanks! It’s the only way my mom would let me out, sue me.
We ducked from building to building, rooftop to rooftop, meeting with other groups and lighting up some patriotism. “If the cops stop us, you keep walking like you don’t know us.” At one point the police, indeed, had some questions but I walked on. They didn’t bat an eye at me, searched the teens, and let them go. Surprisingly my cousin’s plan worked. Then the only white kid in the group went in our bag and decided to shoot bottle rockets at a paddy wagon. We cheered and laughed as he disappeared into an alley. We ended the night with some pizza and laughing at the memories we made under the sparkling lights over that sleepless city.
Here are the best military and most patriotic memes of the week
*Punches alien in the face* Welcome to earth.
There is no such thing as too much patriotism.
Now say aye, sir!
Unfortunately, the day is coming when SNCOs have no deployment ribbons and are just senior boots. Everyone gets out, gents.
Oldie but goodie.
Thank you for your service, now GTFO.
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
They’re paying retirees with fistfuls of cash out here to do less than they’ve ever worked. It’s hard to retain someone with those opportunities out there.
Just in case you did not know, or care, but the UK flag is a combination of England, Scotland, and N. Ireland.
Am I the only nerd who kept them in a black Marine Corps body bag?
‘Ey, yo, wtf.
Life will find a way.
You miss every shot you don’t take.
When the higher ups want to promote the guy who just wants to get out.
Civilians associate airplanes with the Air Force. Nah, man, how could this have happened?
“I’m baaaaaack“
Needs of the Air Force Space Force. We’re still moving things around.