Joy Break: Independence Day Edition

By Nancy Flory Published on July 4, 2017

When we turn on our television or smart phones we are bombarded with news that brings us down. Where has all the good news gone? Those stories are still there. Here are a few special patriotic stories as we celebrate July 4th that we hope will brighten your day.

Patriotic Flash Mob

A flash mob surprised shoppers a few years ago in a Cape Cod grocery store just before July 4. As they were going about the routine of buying groceries, they were surrounded by people with drums, horns and flutes. This wasn’t an ordinary concert. It was a Star-Spangled celebration of the holiday.

Watch:

Patriotic Homecoming Hugs

One little girl couldn’t wait another minute to hug her daddy who had just returned from an eight-month military deployment. During the homecoming ceremony she ran to her daddy and gave him a big hug. “She was excited,” said soldier Daniel Oglesby. “She spotted me from a couple rows back and she couldn’t contain herself. I wasn’t gonna tell her no.”

Watch the video:

Patriotic Officer

The Old Glory Cross Country Relay is a race with teams that take Old Glory from one end of the U.S. to the other. Last year, 64 teams participated in the relay-style race starting in Redmond, Washington and ending in Tampa, Florida — a 4216-mile journey. The race benefits veterans through Team Red, White and Blue — a nonprofit that helps connect veterans to their communities through social and physical activity. In 2015, a patriot police officer saluted as Tim Muessig ran past with the flag.

Patriotic Dance

WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient Erv Casper responds to the crowd clapping with an impromptu dance. Erv and his grandson, Ben Casper, who is on active duty with the Air Force, just arrived from their Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. That’s a nonprofit organization that takes military personnel on “all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, DC to see their memorials and experience a full day of honor and thanks.” As the crowd cheered him on and America, the Beautiful played in the background, Erv just couldn’t contain himself.

Watch Erv’s dance:

Happy Independence Day!