This letter is about the action the city commissioners on Anna Maria Island took over the changing of the date of the Fourth of July celebration procession.
Let me start by saying that yes, I am a Privateer, but this letter to the editor is being penned by Specialist 4th Class Timothy Thompson U.S. Army Security Agency 1964-1968. Veteran. It is not about the day of the week. It is not about traffic. It is not about vacation rental check-in/check-out. It’s not about costs. It’s about the Fourth of July to celebrate our country’s Day of Independence – not the Third or the Fifth. We become independent of British rule on the Fourth of July.
This change was all brought up because the celebration procession interfered with church services. If it were not for Independence Day, nobody would be free to congregate, including worship.
The Fourth only falls on a Sunday once in every seven years. That gives the church 44 of 45 Sundays. They should rejoice and praise God for their freedoms given to them of the sacrifice Americans gave them, including the freedom to worship. If Christmas were to fall on a Sunday, would they ask for it to be celebrated on Saturday the 24th?
The town officials made their decision to rescind and re-date the special event permit based on Rev. Moss’s letter to the cities stating, “… so to protect our country’s long-standing tradition of worship, discipleship, and church fellowship on Sunday mornings and do nothing to distract from it.” But it went beyond just mornings, to having to change the date – there seemed to be no compromise on maybe changing the time. So, it seems that the commissioners have now set the precedent of not issuing any special event permits on Sundays, and rescinding any prior approved permits. If they want to cease and desist the Fourth of July celebration procession, then maybe they should cease and desist everything in their townships: the bars, restaurants, retail. Everything, so as to “do nothing to distract from it.”
So, in closing, let’s call it what it is: The Third of July Parade hosted by the AMI Privateers.
Just a heads up commissioners, Juneteenth falls on Sunday next year. I say this as a proud American and veteran: “Let Freedom Ring.”
Timothy Thompson
Bradenton
