Creative Crew July - Part 2 - Independence Day!

One of the challenges for the Creative Crew each month is Holiday focus.   This month we are to show our national spirit and we are asked the question: What does your country mean to you?

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day that we celebrate with picnics and patriotic parades.  At night there are concerts and fireworks.  Many fly the American flag.  It also brings to mind that our freedom isn't free. 

I am thankful for all of the branches of our military.  The military fights to keep us free every day.  I am particularly thankful for the United States Marine Corps.  Marines are uniquely trained, equipped and organized to maintain a constant state of global readiness.  Marines are warriors of the highest order, committed to purpose, honor and each other.  The motto of the Marine Corps is Semper Fidelis.  Always Faithful.  The core values are honor, courage and commitment.  They are what define a Marine.  Most of you know that my son David is a Marine.  This post is dedicated to him.  Thank you for your service David.  I am proud of you and thankful for you.

This uses the set Courage and the wheel Hero.  I stamped with Crumb Cake on Crumb Cake and the quote by Winston Churchill is stamped in Early Espresso.  Other colors used here in the cardstock is Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy.  Linen Thread and Cherry Cobbler Ribbon are also used.

I have to add here that while I think of David and other Marines as heroes, they do not define themselves that way.  David says he is not a hero.  He is doing his job.

This flag is in the Summer Mini Catalog.  It is called Land of the Free.  Very appropriate for this post.  The words of the National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner are stamped in Cherry Cobbler.  The stars are stamped in Not Quite Navy.  The background is both of those colors using the Tasteful Trim Die and is wrapped with White Baker's Twine.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July!  Enjoy your freedom and celebrate it because our freedom isn't free.

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