Letter to the editor

Moving Independence Day

I recently checked the calendar and I discovered that Independence Day, the Fourth of July, is on Sunday this year. I went to the (Bigfork Area) Chamber of Commerce with a request that the Independence Day parade and festivities be moved to Monday, which is the legal holiday. My request was taken to the board and was denied, I was told.

Being from Pasadena, Calif., I went to every Rose Parade on Jan. 1 until I married and moved away. Never was there a Rose Parade on Sunday. It was established from the first parade held, and is honored to this day, that neither the Rose Parade or the Rose Bowl Game will be held on Sunday.

In driving throughout the area, I often see signs posting the Ten Commandments. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" was an still is a commandment to all Christians. There are numerous Christian churches in Bigfork and the Flathead Valley. Keeping the Sabbath day holy is more than just going to church then spending the rest of the day in secular activities.

Those who brought about an Independence Day, the founders of our country, believed in God and the Bible, and believed that "Providence," as they referred to God, protected those who fought for independence for our country. They were inspired by the Constitution, which was the foundation of the principles our country embraced.

On this Fourth of July, Christians will have to make a choice between keeping the Sabbath day holy and going to a parade and other activities that have nothing to do with the Sabbath. If moving the Rose Parade to Monday was considered appropriate and possible, why can't Bigfork move the parade and activities to Monday and call it, more appropriately, the "Independence Day" parade and show patriotism and appreciation for our freedom? Those are my thoughts? What are yours?

Virginia R. Reed

Bigfork