July 4, 2026

we are 250 YEARS OLD TODAY!

Besides Philadelphia or Washington DC, the best place to celebrate the 4th of July is Coronado, California.

The Naval Air Station North Island is bigger than the residential part of Coronado. It’s known as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation”. Remember Maverick and Iceman from Top Gun? We are the root source of All American Red White & Blue, aviator sunglasses, classic cars, veterans from wars dating back to WWII , navy amphibian vehicles, Uncle Sam’s, Betsy Ross’s, horses, Shriners, police motorcycles, ROTC, Marine soldiers and bagpipe bands!

Sure, we are not a perfect nation: people are messy; this parade is a funny amalgam: where do you find Fez wearing Shriners blowing horns in their mini wagons, with men (and women!) in kilts blowing bagpipes down the street?

We argue, we’re inconsistent, we’re hypocritical, and dig in our heels.

But today, of all the glorious days, our nation is 250 years old. We’re young, really! We still shine; our monuments don’t crumble like the Parthenon or the Roman Colosseum. Okay, okay, so our Liberty Bell has a crack. It bears the weight of all our hard won “inalienable” rights to be free. Remember those words, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

We’re a little battle tested. Revere the flag, keep going; be the example; don’t shy away from an argument; stand up for those who need support; shine your belt buckles and boots.

See you in 2276!