Easton's Soldiers And Sailors ...

“Freedom is the last best hope of earth.”

    ~Abraham Lincoln

     ~1809 ~ 1865

 ~16^th President of the United States of America

       ~1861 ~ 1865

Old Glory billows in the summer breeze as valor is celebrated at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in the heart of Centre Square, Easton, Pennsylvania, on a beautiful late July afternoon in this historic Delaware River Town. 

 

The Civil War Monument that now stands on the old courthouse site is a 75 foot tall obelisk topped by what is locally called the “The Bugler.”

 

Formally named the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, the obelisk was designed to honor all of the armed forces who fought in the Civil War, and was dedicated to local veterans in 1900. Each year during the Christmas season, the monument is shrouded by a one hundred foot Peace Candle, which is ceremoniously lit the Friday evening after Thanksgiving and remains on display through January.

The monument was rededicated for its centennial May 14, 2000, not only in the name of those who fought to preserve the Union in the Civil War, but to all veterans who honorably served the United States of America.

Just across the Delaware River from historic Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Easton was founded in 1752 and is located at the confluence of the Delaware River and Lehigh River.

 

Pony Up The Patriotism ...

“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land.”

                ~ Ronald Reagan

                  ~ 1911-2004

             ~40^th President of 

              the United States of America

                    ~ 1981-1989

The historic 1860 Walnut Street Pony Bridge “ponies up the patriotism” festooned with American flag bunting in time for Memorial Day in this painterly, HDR image I shot as the bunting reflects in the Saucon Creek in the light of May’s early evening sun.

The bridge, built in 1860, is the last remaining cast and wrought iron bridge in North America. It is located on the grounds of the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, just off the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown, Pennsylvania.

 

Patriotism Rains Down ...

“This is my country! Land of my birth!
This is my country! Grandest on earth!
I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold,
For this is my country to have and to hold. 

What diff'rence if I hail from North or South
Or from the East or West?
My heart is filled with love for all of these.
I only know I swell with pride and deep within my breast
I thrill to see Old Glory paint the breeze. 

With hand upon heart I thank the Lord for this my native land,
For all I love is here within her gates.
My soul is rooted deeply in the soil on which I stand,
For these are mine own United States. 

This is my country! Land of my choice!
This is my country! Hear my proud voice!
I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold,
For this is my country! To have and to hold.” 

 ~ “This Is My Country” is an American patriotic song composed in 1940

  ~ Lyrics by Don Raye, music by Al Jacobs

~ The song was completed in 1940 and first recorded in 1942 by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians. Among others who have recorded it are the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Patti LaBelle. Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version appeared on his America the Beautiful album, released in February 1970, which was later re-released and marketed as Capitol’s Bicentennial Album.

Rain didn’t stop the fireworks from “reigning” as gold rained down with the spirit of patriotism from the summer sky during the 2018 Fourth of July Fireworks set off from J. Birney Crum Stadium, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

How wonderful it would be to have fireworks – and the fire of patriotism – in our hearts every day!