The roots of July 4 explain why it’s a day that conjures such feelings of patriotism, yet many carry those feelings all year.

Independence Day means just that. It’s the observance of the time the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration was a formal announcement of the American colonies’ separation from the British Empire, making them free states.

July 4 was marked as a celebratory event the next year when fireworks erupted in Philadelphia. The day was celebrated this way even though the nation was not yet sure it would survive independently. Americans were still patriotic and wanted to show it.

Today July 4 is a federal holiday. Common observances such as fireworks and barbecues continue to be a fun way to take in the freedom of living that started with that historical document. Many see it as more than just for fun. They look beyond the festivities and develop reinforced senses of pride in being part of the system that maintains America’s ongoing freedoms.

Take Mike Smith for example. He is an Army staff sergeant and post commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4758 in Pell City.

Smith joined the Army Reserve in 1979 in the engineer reserve unit in Birmingham. He remained there until 1991 when he went to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as part of Desert Storm.

Smith left the Reserve in 1995 and remembers his military days fondly because of what they meant to him personally.

“No one joins the military to be a hero or to be thanked,” he said. “As a soldier we do what we do for love of country.”

Smith still gets feelings of pride about both his service and that of others. He said this goes for every day and its nice that on this weekend everyone gets reminded about the meaning of their country.

Smith has even been known to anonymously pay for meals for soldiers he sees eating in restaurants. He said it’s just his way of showing appreciation for what they do to keep us free. He believes they all feel that way.

“There’s nothing like the feeling you have when doing something in the military for the good of everybody,” he said.

Smith has heard many stories of patriotism among his fellows at the VFW. He told about how another post member, Col. Oscar Price, was there for a young soldier who put duty first in his life.

Smith said the Price was working with a private in Vietnam and learned the younger soldier hadn’t been paid in several months. It turned out the private had been discharged yet swapped orders and remained in Vietnam even though he wasn’t getting paid because he felt it was his duty to be there.

Smith said that sense of patriotism is simply a way of life for those who serve their country proudly.

“That’s just what veterans do,” he said.

He added, “I’m 49 years old, and if I were called back I’d go.”

Like many others, Smith said he enjoys the festivities that accompany this weekend. Authorities and police departments say the important thing is that people do so safely.