“As the 4th of July approaches, we should all take a moment to appreciate the importance of this great day. Our independence is something that can sometimes be overlooked, and with all the corporate and trendy holidays that we have throughout the year, we need to cherish this holiday and what it stands for.

“It is a true gift to have a sense of patriotism and to remember the people who made our independence possible. The fight for liberty and justice is never complete; and as Americans it is our duty to remember and cherish our independence. It is a day to celebrate our freedom, our country, our triumphs and to remember all those men and women who have served our nation and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of those ideals.

“Although this holiday is a joyous occasion, I encourage everyone to stay safe and to celebrate responsibly with family and friends.”