an updated article with a very nice tie in to the tea parties....
www.app.com/article/20090704/NEWS/907040321/1070/NEWS02/4th+celebratedCELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE: On America's 233rd birthday, the sixth annual reading
of the Declaration of Independence takes place in Freehold, one of many holiday events.
Thomas Jefferson strode to the lectern and began the famous words.
"When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another . . .," said Jefferson, played by Freehold community leader J. Nolan Higgins.
So began the borough's sixth annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence — this year on the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the document that announced the original 13 colonies as the United States of America and outlined the reasons for separating from British rule.
It was this spirit, more representative of the July Fourth holiday than a backyard barbecue, that drew Norm Clawson to the event.
"I felt it was something everybody should do," said Clawson, 55, of Brick.
Clawson was one of about 200 at the event held in front of the Freehold Municipal Building. Some people read parts of the Declaration or somehow participated, while the others observed the reading, raising of the American flag and the singing patriotic songs.
Clawson's role was calling out the name of Declaration signer Thomas Nelson Jr., when the Virginia contingent was introduced.
This was just one of the ways that the country's birthday was celebrated Saturday on the Shore as the sun returned after a rainy June. Parades and festivals were the norm in Asbury Park, Long Branch and Tuckerton, for example. But there were tax protests, too.
Throughout the state, Taxed Enough Already Party protesters gathered in parks and along highways. The anti-tax and anti-socialism movement rallied against universal health care, economic stimulus packages and President Barack Obama.
The rallies on the Shore featured prominent Republican speakers such as former Mayor Steve Lonegan, who recently lost his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, and former Congressional candidate Alan Bateman, who lost his race against Democratic Rep. Rush Holt last November.
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"Freedom and liberty have come under attack in the last six months," Bateman told a Middletown crowd. "And, the attacks are coming from within."
The day took on a more festive tone in Long Branch.
Officials from the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce were anticipating approximately 200,000 people at the 19th annual Oceanfest, the day-long festival along the coast that included a visit from Gov. Jon S. Corzine.
At one of the entertainment stages, Evelyn Ortiz, 56, and Kevin Cathcart, 52, both of Ocean Township, soaked up sun at the festival, before heading to a barbecue and, then, down to Atlantic City.
"We want to enjoy some sun," said Cathcart, who missed the preceding several weeks of rain, because he was in Florida. "We just are enjoying the day."
Ortiz said she saw a sign for pina coladas and was looking forward to the refreshing drink.
"It's the best weekend we've had all year," said Aaron Levine, director of operations for the Long Branch Windmill restaurant, who had a vendor stand with hot dogs, cheese fries and chicken fingers. "We've been waiting for this weather all summer. Business has going very well today, and we're waiting for the crowds to come off the beach."
In Tuckerton, it was a traditional small town Fourth of July, brimming with American pride.
John Sutton, along with his wife and four children — and a 3-foot-by-5-foot American flag — attended their hometown parade.
"It's our Independence Day," Sutton said. "We have pride in our country."
Sutton's brother-in-law, James Sullivan, had been deployed overseas three times with the military, but is now back in Louisiana.
"We commemorate all those who in the past gave for this country and gave us this day," Sutton said.
Marine Lance Cpl. John Gizzi understood and was grateful. Gizzi, a Tuckerton resident serving as parade grand marshal, has served in Iraq.
"It's nice to be back in my hometown," he said, with his first tour of duty behind him, "the Fourth of July has more of a meaning to it. This is what I fought for."
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Gizzi is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in January.
In Asbury Park, the fourth annual Fourth of July Parade was also full of Independence Day spirit.
"I'm looking forward to a pleasant day with my comrades," said Arthur Goodstone, 87, of Old Bridge, a Pearl Harbor survivor. "What more can you ask for? Good company — good cause — a show of patriotism for your country."
During the afternoon parade, city officials rode in cars as they waved to the crowd. The Asbury Park Environment and Shade Commission brought out a float, with members throwing candy to children as they passed. Community groups such The Bike Church came out to ride bicycles with founder Kerri Martin leading the way.
Twenty-one bands participated, said Mary Napolitano, one of the coordinators. Bands included the Monmouth County Police Pipes and Drums and the Trenton AOH Pipe Band.
Paul Weinstein, 58, of Ocean Grove felt so patriotic Saturday that he attended two parades.
"I saw the Ocean Grove parade this morning," Weinstein said. "So, I came out to see the one in Asbury Park. I enjoy seeing Asbury come back to life."
The patriotic vibe resonanted in northern Ocean County, too.
The Ocean Air Support Squadron, a volunteer search and reconnaissance air wing, was scheduled to do a flyover of a flag-raising and veterans remembrance ceremony at Normandy Beach in Brick, said Mike Maino, a squadron spokesman.
This was the 23rd year the event has been held at the Sixth Avenue home of Bob Mrozek, a veteran. More than 500 people, as well as 50 veterans, participated last year, for example.
Veterans from World War II to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were honored.
"It's great for the vets to see them (the Ocean Air Support Squadron) flying in formation," said Maino, a Lacey resident. "All of us are volunteers and we love to do this. Many of us are ex-military; we can't help but think of these guys."
Staff writers Chelsea Michels, Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo, Matthew McGrath and Sarah Webster contributed to this story.
