In the summer of 1776, 13 colonies yearned for freedom from tyranny of an oppressive monarchy.
On July 2 of that year during a meeting of the Continental Congress, the colonies voted to declare they would accept nothing less than absolute freedom from England.
Two days later, after making some minor adjustments to the text, a final wording was ratified. On July 4, 1776, 56 members of the 13 colonies signed what became known as the Declaration of Independence.
“It was a bold declaration that tells us that freedom is based on the truth that all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights,” Medora Pentecostal Church Pastor Tim Gill said during Sunday’s community Fourth of July celebration that was revived by the church.
“I’m so glad to live in America,” Gill said. “I’m glad for the freedom that we have to do exactly what we’re doing. There are nations that cannot do what you and I are doing tonight.”
Liberty, though, doesn’t only happen with laws, Gill said. It also happens with virtuous people who have character and supply self-restraint, and liberty requires faith, he said.
Even through tough times in 1776 and today, Gill said there is hope.
“Our forefathers on July 4, 1776, went to a two-hour prayer meeting and began to pray. It’s the same hope for today. The hope is faith in Jesus Christ,” he said. “Tonight, as you watch fireworks burst in the sky, think about the words of our forefathers that they would say, ‘We need God in America. We need Christ in America.’”
He then made an amendment to the phrase “God bless America.”
“Let us never forget we need to bless God, America,” Gill said in closing.
He was the final speaker Sunday night before a fireworks display capped off a four-hour event that brought the community together to celebrate Independence Day for the first time in many years.
Earlier this year, the church proposed reviving the celebration. The community rallied behind the idea and sponsors came forward, allowing food, games, music, giveaways, firetrucks, a photo booth, a medical helicopter and fireworks to draw people to the Medora Town Park.
Joe Barnes was among those happy to see it all come together.
He serves double duty — as chief of the Carr Township Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the newly revamped Medora Park Board.
The fire department had two of its trucks at Sunday’s event, offered wooden cutouts for photo opportunities and handed out fire safety information, stickers and plastic helmets.
Barnes and a couple of firefighters recently assisted with a community work day at the park, helping get it looking good for Sunday’s event.
“It hurt seeing the park not being used and just going to waste, but this is awesome, it’s great. I love having too many people and nowhere to park in Medora,” he said, smiling.
Like others who grew up in Medora, Barnes remembers the town having a big Fourth of July celebration. At one point, however, it was discontinued.
“We had dunk tanks, softball tournaments, all kinds of stuff out here. It was a three-day event,” Barnes said.
On Sunday, he said it was the most people he has seen at the park at once in a long time.
“We’re trying to get stuff going,” he said of the park board and others in town. “We had a community involvement day, and we really fixed stuff up. We redid the bathrooms and the dugouts and stuff, but we’re trying to bring it back.”
When Gill’s wife, Faythe, asked Barnes about the fire department being a part of Sunday’s celebration, he was happy to be involved.
“Tim and Faythe have done a great thing here,” Barnes said. “Maybe next year, we can build on it or just continue growing. We planted the seed there. … You’ve got to start somewhere, start small.”
Two other pastors at the church, Muncia Walls and David Gill, also spoke during Sunday’s event.
Walls thanked God for the liberties Americans have.
“We should be grateful with such a nation born to uphold values through freedom and virtue, and we ought to give thanks to God not just on July 4 but all throughout the year that you and I are privileged to live in this beautiful country,” Walls said. “How grateful we are for this day that we have liberties to worship you and gather like this in Medora, Indiana.”
David Gill paid tribute to his grandfather, who served in World War II, and others who served and continue to serve the country in the military. He asked veterans in attendance to stand and be recognized.
“I’ll never forget the stories that he told that he has passed down of his service time, things that he had to see, things he had to endure,” Gill said of his grandfather. “It just makes me thankful to the men and women that served our country every day. I’m thankful for them keeping the peace, for giving us freedom.”
He also gave a special thanks to law enforcement for keeping the peace, keeping this free country safe, putting their lives on the line and making selfless sacrifices.
“I want to let you know that those are not in vain, that we see what you are doing, that we see what you have served, and we thank you,” Gill said.
Seymour celebrates, too
Jackson County largest community, Seymour, also celebrated Independence Day in a big way Sunday.
Those visiting Shields Park Pool in the afternoon received half-price admission.
At the Freeman Field Recreational Area south of the city, the inaugural Smalltown Star teen talent show highlighted local youth and drew attention to a local nonprofit organization, and the Fabulous Hickbillys performed a free concert before the night ended with a free fireworks display set to music by Radio 96.3.
Aerial White was joined by her father-in-law, Corey White, in taking in the festivities.
They helped her daughter, Kaydence Wilson, and friends Easton and Serenity Gaskin light sparklers and small fireworks in the parking lot before the big show.
“They always turn out really, really good,” Aerial said of the fireworks that cap off the night.
“I used to go over to where all of the factories are and watch it,” Corey said. “I came out here with her for the first time a year or two ago, and I like it a lot better out here.”
They arrived early to get a parking spot in the front row.
“We’ve got a perfect view of it,” Aerial said, noting she likes listening to the kids’ reactions as the fireworks light up the night sky.
The family was glad to spend time together on the holiday once again this year.
“Memories,” Aerial said. “You’ve got to love the memories together.”