It's 4^th of July weekend, which means it's time for our family's annual camping trip and reunion. Every year, we pack up and head out to a campground where we fish, swim, make "s'mores", sleep under a starry sky and just spend time together.

Some of my best childhood memories are of those camping trips. Getting sunburned. Munching on hotdogs and salty chips. And especially fishing with my cousins — whether we caught anything or not. I looked forward to it just as much as Christmas!

It was great fun, but our parents always made sure that we didn't forget what all the celebrating was really about. The United States wouldn't have won its freedom without the brave soldiers of the American Revolution. Which makes the 4^th of July the perfect day to honor and celebrate our men and women in uniform — those on active duty, our brave veterans and especially the fallen.

So celebrate America's birthday. Have fun. But while you're at it, remember what our Founding Father Thomas Jefferson once said: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance".