Editorial by Trudy Evans

July 4th…what does it mean to you?

For some it means Independence Day, when the United States became independent from Great Britain by signing the Declaration of Independence. For others, it means a day off from work. And for some it means family reunion time, lake time, BBQ cookout times, and for others it is a birthday or an anniversary. And that is one meaning for me.

My husband and I married on July 4. He chose that day because he knew he would never forget our wedding anniversary. I say it was because there would always be fireworks on our anniversary! Regardless of what it means to you personally, for an American, that day remains a day that we remember to be thankful for the freedoms our nation has enjoyed down through the years. Which brings me back to my husband, Brian. He was a very patriotic man, partly because his dad was the person in charge of the Oklahoma National Guard in Cushing, OK for 23 years. Brian grew up running the halls of the armory where he learned what it means to be patriotic. In the days following 9/11, there were many, many patriotic photos and posters floating through the internet and this inspired my husband to show his own version of patriotism.

We searched for and were able to find a place that sold flag stickers and small flags in bulk. I called each elementary school in Cushing to get a head count for every class. Brian and I then made up little Ziploc flag bags for each student which contained stickers, erasers, and pencils with the American flag on them. He then cut little strips of wood to become flag holders and we delivered those to almost every business in Cushing as well. After Brian passed away in 2019, I needed to go and take care of some business and as I entered the door, I noticed that they had the same flag on their counter that we had given them 19 years ago! Made my heart feel good!

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July, and I’ll have a blessed anniversary remembering my very patriotic husband, Brian D. Evans.

Joe Brown Furniture

SINCE 1972!