Dear 1036: Celebrating Patriotically the Founding of the USA

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

July is a special time as we celebrate the Independence of the USA each year at the start of the month.

This year 2026 is special as the 250th anniversary of Independence.

For the 225th anniversary 25 years ago in 2001 , I thought it would be great to have a birthday cake to celebrate the USA.  I even asked to have candles lit.  Then we took it outside on the deck so that I could see the wind, representing the USA, blow out the candles.  It didn't happen immediately, and when I wondered aloud about what was taking so long, Dad remarked that the USA was of an advanced age, and it would take more effort at 225 years to blow out the candles.

In my middle school years, I came to more deeply appreciate the story of the founding of the USA.  That happened in large part from watching the show Liberty's Kids.  The theme song was performed by Kayla and Aaron Carter, who sung it live at the Capitol Fourth Concert on July 4, 2002, in anticipation of the show's debut on Labor Day, September 2, 2002, which was the day before I started middle school.  Our family would regularly view the Capitol Fourth concert, and that song was one of my favorite performances.

The following summer, I was at the Dole Branch Library. I discovered a book profiling the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.  I checked it out from the library, and I was so enthralled by the history I learned from it that I decided to buy it.  The book was a special addition to my bookshelf, and I still have it to this day.

There's something profound about reconnecting with our roots.  And so it is special every month on the 28th day to write these posts and reflect on these wonderful memories about you, Beloved 1036, at the heart of my roots as a person.

And so I declare that you shall not fade into the background, but remain ever in my heart as that dearly beloved place.

At this time of year, when the Winnebago Pow-wow is held, I think of Native American spirituality I learned from my time at St. Augustine Mission, and declare that we are ever connected:

All my relations.

God's blessings,

With joy in the Lord,

Paul

God bless the USA, my home sweet home.

Huzzah for USA from Sea to Shining Sea!

The US flag flying from the porch was always had a special patriotic touch, like on Thanksgiving weekend 2022.

Here I am posing with the US flag on the porch.

Here we are, the foursome, on Declaration of Independence Day, July 4, 2000, on the front steps.  So far as I recall, Grandma and Grandpa Rubio visited that day and one of them likely took this photo.

A Tribute to Aunt Carmen Up to the Mountains

My Great Aunt Carmen Aragon has long been a special person in my life.  The love she showed me reflects the close relationship between her and my Grandma Vel.

With Aunt Carmen at her home in 2008, a photo likely taken by Mom or Dad.

When she passed away earlier at the beginning of June, I made the 1000-mile journey once again up to the foothills of the Rockies to remember and honor her.  I rode Amtrak for this journey, which brought it full circle, since the first time I ever visited Denver, it was onboard the California Zephyr train.

Our family vacation by train looping around the western United States left a big impression on me as a little boy.  The final place we stayed was in Denver at the splendid house at 7880 Greenwood Boulevard, where my Great Aunt Carmen lived for over 50 years, sharing many of them with my Great Uncle Leonard.

After that visit in August 1997 came 4 more visits to Denver, during all of which I spent time at my Great Aunt Carmen's house.  I always experienced her abundant sense of hospitality, as she opened her home and her heart.  On August 14, 2008, I felt a strong sense of excitement as we drove from Steamboard Springs, where we had stayed for a few days, and then went to spend time at her home in Denver before returning to Chicagoland.  My excitement reached a pitch when we turned the corner and by her house.  She had a great dinner ready for us, featuring enchiladas with ground turkey wrapped in flour tortillas. 

In the summer of 2016, I traveled to Colorado and joined a family weekend getaway in the mountain town of Cripple Creek to celebrate her birthday, my first time celebrating her birthday with her.  I got there a couple days ahead before we all went to Cripple Creek.  I was so glad I had the chance to spend a whole day at Aunt Carmen's house, enjoying her company and experiencing the delight of the place.  Later that day, her son John, his wife Charlotte, and their granddaughter Jenesis arrived, and it was great sharing in their company.

She had so much on display in her home, especially family photos, and seeing myself and family foursome, along with Grandma, made me feel so good there, right at home.  She also had letter framed on a wall from her son John's commanding officer, in which she congratulated her and Uncle Leonard on their son's achievement when he became a Navy officer.

She enjoyed being around family so much, and we always had a good time when all the family members gathered together.  Her children knew how to put on a celebration for her, like the Cripple Creek birthday celebration for her, and then the grand party when she turned 90.

I had enjoyable journeys on the California Zephyr, filled with anticipation of the joy of celebrating her birthday both of those times.

Grateful for wonderful memories, while navigating grief, I boarded the California Zephyr once more on Wednesday, June 24, to head west.  Along with my travel luggage, I carried with me 20 packages of El Milagro corn tortillas, which the Aragon relatives enjoy, especially since they aren't available in stores in the Denver Metro Area.

I felt an abundance of love and warmth when I traveled to the Denver Metro Area for Great Aunt Carmen's funeral.  After arriving at Denver Union Station, I went to Holy Ghost Parish to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, kept in a temporary chapel space.  

Adoration Chapel

Holy Ghost Parish

Then I rode the G Line to the suburb of Arvada.  After detraining, as I walked along the platform toward the exit, I saw my cousin Cynthia with her husband Mark, Sr., by their car, and she was eagerly waving at me.

We went to King Soopers to shop for groceries before going to their home.  A little later, I went with Mark to pick up Mom, Dad, and Grandma.  Once we were all back at the Grubbs home, we sat around the dining room table for a meal.

Later, we went to the funeral place for the visitation.  Unlike other funeral places I've been to, I was so moved by how the design of the place looked like a chapel, and helped bring a strong sense of spirituality to mind as we gathered to honor Aunt Carmen.  The pastor of her parish, Father Nick, offered wonderful words of tribute, speaking to her strong sense of hospitality.  Then we prayed the rosary.

The next morning, we gathered at Assumption Parish, her longtime home parish.  The first time I recall going there was on the Feast of the Assumption itself back in 2008 when we visited Denver.  I went there again 3 years ago, on the eve of her 90th birthday.  Viewing began at 9 AM.  At 10 AM, Bryan, one of her 15 grandchildren, stood before the congregation to offer a speech in tribute to Aunt Carmen, which was collectively written by her 5 children, with some additions from her grandchildren.  It was a great tribute to a woman who showed so much love in her long life, with the ever present pozole available in her kitchen, and her constant connection to her sister, my Grandma Vel, and Chicago roots.  In all her years, Aunt Carmen never learned to drive a car.  Once Brian finished, the Funeral Mass began, and it was meaningful to see the rites of the Church bestowed upon Aunt Carmen.

Following Mass, we gathered at the Wishbone Restaurant in nearby Westminster.  I remember that she took our family foursome there for dinner during our 2008 visit.  I mentioned this dinner to my cousin Mark, Jr., who said she greatly enjoyed this restaurant.  The placemats were fitting for the occasion.  Lunch was a good time of visiting.

The view of the Rockies from outside Assumption Parish

The Wishbone Restaurant

Above and below are placemats at the Wishbone.

Desserts at the lunch

The visiting continued later over at my cousin Laura's house.  I stopped by for a few minutes to say goodbyes before Mark, Sr., and Dad took me over to the Pecos Junction station.  I boarded the RTD train to Union Station, where I boarded the Amtrak train back to Chicago.

Unlike the morning I arrived, when it was cloudy, skies were clear for me to enjoy the view of the sunset over the Rockies as the train headed into the High Plains.

The Rockies appear in the distance

The sunset over the High Plains of Eastern Colorado

Aunt Carmen and my Grandma Vel made this 1000-mile journey so many times over the course of decades to spend long stretches of time visiting and even participating in special events.  Once, Grandma went on that journey by car and brought Buddy, the dog, with her, to spend a winter in Denver with Aunt Carmen, who was such a gracious host to Buddy.  I also recall when Aunt Carmen and many in her family came to Chicagoland when my cousin Brian graduated from Navy boot camp, including my cousin John, who was present in his Navy officer uniform.

Aunt Carmen and Grandma Vel would go out on the town, like outings to Navy Pier in Chicago.  One time, Aunt Carmen was in town and attended my piano recital.  I then went back with Grandma and Aunt Carmen to spend a night with them, and the next day, we all visited the Chicago History Museum.  Another time, Dad, Grandma, Aunt Carmen, and I went to visit the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John, IN.  I also recall Grandma and Aunt Carmen went to Springfield, IL, for a few days.

Aunt Carmen had a way of enjoying life and a few good laughs, too.  For these memories, I give thanks for Aunt Carmen's presence in my life.

Aunt Carmen and me on the day she turned 90 before we departed for her party.  Grandma likely took this photo as we waited for my cousin Mark Sr. to pick us up.  It was a great memory to join Aunt Carmen and Grandma for the car ride to the grand party.

Patriotic Greetings 2026: The Power of Principles for 250 Years

Patriotic Greetings! Independence Day Greetings! Happy 250th Birthday USA! Huzzah!

We circle back, as we've done now for 250 years, to celebrate the important days of the beginning of July that are at the heart of the founding of the United States of America.  It is a momentous story of what led to those days and what resulted from them.

After Britain emerged victorious from multiple years of war with France in 1763, a big shift occurred on the North American continent.  Britain began meddling more in colonial affairs, particularly through increased taxation.  Colonists protested such infringements because they had no representation in Parliament that decided on the taxes.  Eventually, warfare began on April 19, 1775, near Boston, Massachusetts.

Over the course of another year, momentum for independence of the colonies increased in the Continental Congress.  On Friday, June 7, 1776, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee made this historic proposal: "Resolved. That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

While Congress took a few weeks to consider it, a committee was formed to draft a statement should Congress vote to approve independence.  Thomas Jefferson was the primary author.

On July 1, Congress resumed debate, and after several hours, most of the colonies favored independence, but the Congress hadn't reached unanimity.  They decided to hold another vote the following day.  Several circumstances came together overnight and on the following day, Tuesday, July 2, 1776, Congress voted unanimously to approve the independence resolution.  Subsequently, the delegates discussed the draft statement.  On Thursday, July 4, 1776, they adopted the Declaration of Independence.  Its first public reading was on July 8.

War continued for several more years, and after a decisive American victory at Yorktown, owing to help from the French forces, the focus turned toward a treaty.  On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris 1783 was official, and the USA became an independent country.

There is something so inspiring about this story, and I find it meaningful throughout the month of June to read a wonderful book, which is basically a museum in a book, telling the story of the events that led to Independence, with some content that describes what came afterward.

It's also a profound opportunity to connect with this story whenever I visit the Old Pennsylvania Statehouse, Independence Hall in Philadelphia.  I fulfilled my desire to visit there after a long wait when I made my first visit there 10 years ago last month.  Since June 11, 2016, I have toured it 3 times, and I never tire of doing so.  Each tour offers a different narration based on the tour guide leading it.  Furthermore, being in that place that was the setting for such pivotal events inspires a sense of patriotism in me.

It's just like when I visit the Charters of Freedom in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C. I always make a point of visiting there during each trip to WDC.  This past May, I kept feeling drawn to walk about to look at the documents one more time, like I couldn't get enough of viewing them.  And I was particularly struck when I gazed at the Declaration of Independence and let the reality sink in that the piece of paper is 250 years old and continues to hold a sense of power because of the principles it conveys.  Watching the episode of Liberty's Kids on independence, a big idea that surfaces is the power of words, which is why great effort was made to craft the language of the Declaration.  And these words still hold great power today.

There's something certainly distinct about this year's celebration as we mark 250 years since the Congress voted for independence and adopted the Declaration of Independence.  As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States, I am particularly inspired by the reality that this country came into existence grounded in principles.  And instead of one figure overseeing the government like the monarchies that existed at the time, a government empowered by the whole of the people would uphold these principles.  There is so much that has happened in US history in which experiences have been held in common.

I thought about these principles when I listened to Bishop Barron's oration at the Rededicate America 250 event on May 17 in Washington, D.C.  He is such a gifted person, especially in preaching Truth, Beauty, and Goodness that God reveals in our world.  On that day, he spoke masterfully about how the founding principles of the USA point toward the transcendent reality of God, Who has created us inherently free.  Yet we can only live in freedom truly if we do so with a sense of moral responsibility that is indicated by moral law so that freedom leads to true human flourishing.  Indeed, we need virtues to uphold the great gift of our founding principles, especially liberty and freedom, just like John Adams wrote, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people".  

These ideas were also prevalent during the Zeale for America 250 Rally hosted by CatholicVote on June 13, in LaCrosse, WI.  (The video of the entire event, about 3 hours long, is available for viewing here.) Cardinal Burke spoke and offered an insightful idea about patriotism, which is love of country, based on an awareness that the country is an important defender of the common good.  Truly, we love our country because it has the role of upholding the good of all people, safeguarding the freedom that is ours because God has created us to be free.  When we live in freedom, guided by virtue, we truly flourish.

It was so fitting that the US bishops consecrated the USA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as part of this 250th Anniversary year.  The Sacred Heart reveals love to us, and gives us an example of how we can love by edifying each other by willing the good of one another.  In serving each other this way, we truly flourish as a people in the freedom that God has granted us.  We furthermore flourish when we support our freedoms with virtues, so that we can fulfill our moral responsibility in using our freedom for a greater good beyond ourselves that honors God because it shows respect for people who bear His image.  We give thanks for the freedom we experience in this country, which is a gift and a responsibility.

In reaction to the Congressional vote that approved independence, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

Even as circumstances unfolded so that July 4 became the national holiday, I embrace this time of year as an opportunity to reconnect with the narrative of the steps that led to the founding of the United States of America, and how we can continue participating in what happened 250 years.

This holiday gives us so much to celebrate, and in a distinctly profound way this year.  We live in a great country founded in timeless principles, and we have the opportunity to exercise those for a greater good.  These principles started a nation, and they have contributed throughout 2 1/2 centuries over hundreds of miles of land, encompassing so many cultures.  In fact, many people from throughout the world coming to the World Cup games in the USA have greatly enjoyed experiences of US culture, including brisket sandwich, "Country Roads Take Me Home", and Buc-ee's.

Over 20 years ago, my Grandma's friend gave me a USA tour video, and I enjoyed it so much the first time that it's become an annual tradition to watch on July 2 or at some other point in the summer to celebrate the birthday of the USA.  The video reminds me of the vast breadth of places and cultures in our country, all tied together by our founding principles, and I feel inspired by how wonderful this country is.  The principles of our independence have great potential to offer us more as we take up the call to use freedom for a greater, transcendent purpose by which we may all flourish.

I hope you all feel the patriotic spirit that birthed a nation in a particularly special way on this 250th Anniversary of US independence, throughout the rest of 2026, and beyond.

God bless the beautiful United States of America!

Huzzah!

Go USA! USA! USA!

For our amazing country,

Paul

My first visit to Independence Hall, inside the Assembly Room.

During my most recent visit to Independence Hall, on May 23, 2025.

During my most recent visit to the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives museum in Washington, D.C., taken by my Dad.

Inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, dedicated to the Patroness Saint of the USA, taken by a fellow visitor.

I'm standing beside the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum, parked by the LaCrosse Center when I was there for the rally on June 13, in a photo taken by a fellow visitor. 

P.S. On the morning of July 4 at 9 AM CT, I plan to watch the ceremony at the National Archives, which you can view here.

This post is my annual Patriotic Greetings reflection, which I have published electronically on my blog since 2013.  If you would like a paper copy, please let me know.