Celebrate Thanksgiving on the Fourth of July

The fourth of July is America's independence day. But perhaps the meaning of Independence has gained some new facets with the war on Terror. Since 9-11 we've all become more aware of how fragile our freedom is and what a great price is attached to that freedom. Young people fresh out of high school are in Iraq as well as some more seasoned veterans are fighting for freedom as I write this. What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with gratitude and thanksgiving in our hearts for the freedom we do already have?

One idea to celebrate the Fourth of July with is to have a special Thanksgiving dinner in July. Go old fashioned. Cook a turkey and dressing. Serve cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. Devil eggs. Make an olive and pickle tray. Serve pumpkin and mince meat pies. Go all out. Just celebrate and attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Or perhaps instead of a big turkey dinner, people could grill turkey breasts with veggie kabobs and make bread pudding with cranberries instead of dressing and cranberry sauce. Instead of regular pumpkin pie, one could whip canned pumpkin with cool whip and vanilla ice cream and freeze it. Maybe even throw it in a blender and pour it into Popsicle molds to make pumpkinsicles. Strange ideas possibly but just a few ideas to take a new spin on an old holiday.

Or if you want something lighter, have a picnic with turkey sandwiches. Turkey sandwiches from leftovers were always my favorite thanksgiving food anyway. Make potato or macaroni salad to go with it. Eat watermelon. Just keep the turkey aspect as a reminder of Thanksgiving dinner.

As a party game, people could do a greeting card making craft where they write and make cards for the U.S. Troops serving for our freedom. If there are kids at a family get together or reunion on the Fourth of July, involve them. Think five years old. Think construction paper, glitter, glue, sparkly stuff, and paint. Set up tables with newspaper on it and let the kid's imaginations go wild.

Before the party, ask adults to donate calling card to send in the cards for the troops to call home with. And also ask people to donate any unused/nonworking cell phones that can be recycled to give to troops to call home with.

Finally, make a birthday cake to end the night with and put sparklers on it for candles to celebrate the birth of America's independence on the Fourth of July. Remember the troops who have fought for our freedom and those who have given their lives and be thankful. Hug your family. Tell them how much you love them. Say a prayer for peace