Fourth of July in our national parks
Here are just a few happenings:
- The National Park Service always puts on a big show on the National Mall
- Fourth at the Fort is an all-day event at Virginia’s Fort Monroe National Monument
- Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania commemorates the Civil War battle every July 1-3; on the Fourth, rangers present a campfire program on the encounter at the park’s amphitheater
- The American Revolution is the subject of North Carolina’s Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, marking the 249th anniversary of our country’s independence
- The Boston area played an important part in the Revolutionary War, and at Minute Man National
Historical Park, the Declaration of Independence is read aloud at 2:30 p.m. at Concord’s North Bridge, followed by musket volleys; Boston National Historical Park hold an all-day event celebrating the Fourth at Old North Church 
(feel free to boo and hiss every time King George III is mentioned); on Saturday, July 5, the Longfellow House-Washington Headquarters National Historic Site has a special, five-hour program commemorating the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s arrival in Cambridge (George and Martha make an appearance!)
- Virginia’s Colonial National Historical Park features family-friendly activities throughout the day, beginning with a parade and ending with fireworks
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine holds what it calls an “old-fashioned Fourth," with fife and drum corps, along with cannon and musket firing
- And at the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Independence National Historical Park, the Celebration of Freedom includes tours and programs throughout the day.
What else is happening in the parks?
I’m glad you asked. Check out this pair of articles, from the New York Times (great photos!) and the National Parks Conservation Association.
July’s subpar parks review
Apparently, somebody thinks Virgin Islands National Park is “totally overrated.” The park takes up two-thirds of the island, with gorgeous beaches, colorful coral reefs, and ancient petroglyphs. Oh well, can’t please everybody…
Outside Magazine has an article about the worst national parks reviews for 2024. Hmm…someone thinks Redwood National Park should be sold and the trees made into paper?
An old article
Years ago (as you can tell by my photo in the article), I wrote about a naturalization ceremony I attended, and what it taught me.
A new article
In the July issue of Prevention magazine, I write about my diagnosis of laryngeal dystonia.
New books
I’ve just joined AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Association), an organization for Christian authors and presenters. Fellow writer Grace Fox is coming out with a new book July 8, Names of God: Knowing Peace. New York Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber endorsed it!
Pelican Publishing Group is releasing two Christian romance titles this month:
A Christian Ministry in the National Parks
ACMNP observes 75 years in the parks in 2025! Over 17,000 team members have led over 100,000 worship services for park visitors and employees. This summer, 140 young people are working at seasonal jobs and conducing services, perhaps at a park you’re visiting!
Citizenship
If you read my article from USA Today (mentioned above) about attending a naturalization ceremony, you’ll note I was awed by what someone applying for citizenship has to do. Try the civics portion of the test to see how much you know!
The Bible tells us we have a citizenship awaiting in heaven, the city of God, for eternity (Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 12:22). Becoming a citizen there is much easier, no test required, because Jesus took it on our behalf and passed with flying colors: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, those whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
