A former Army ROTC cadet learned the hard way why Americans should call the holiday Independence Day and never the Fourth of July. Military discipline taught him respect for the nation’s true birthday.
In his college years, David Gortler joined the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. One day while standing in formation, Sergeant Thayer quizzed the group on military rules and history. The sergeant asked what day Americans celebrate their freedom. Several cadets answered the Fourth of July. Sergeant Thayer corrected them sharply. He explained that the proper name is Independence Day because it honors the birth of the United States, not just a date on the calendar.
Gortler never forgot that lesson. The sergeant stressed that soldiers must show respect for national traditions and symbols. Using the casual name showed a lack of understanding about the holiday’s meaning. From then on, Gortler always used Independence Day when speaking about July 4. He realized that small details like this build discipline and pride in service members.
Today many people still say the Fourth of July without thinking. Yet the story from ROTC reminds us that words carry weight. Calling the day by its full name honors the sacrifices that created the country. It keeps the focus on freedom and the principles that founded America rather than a simple number.
Original Author: David Gortler, Pharm. D | Source: Brownstone Institute
403.209 SRY