Tomorrow is Independence Day here in the US. And around our house we have a tradition for this holiday.

Late in the afternoon, I will drop my wife off at the Metro stop near our house. From there she will travel to the Capitol grounds, stand in the heat and humidity (and occasional rain), and perform as a back-up singer for various B- and C-list celebrities on PBS’s long-running holiday special A Capitol Fourth.

This year will be her 26th time doing the show, missing only three years during the pandemic, of course.

My side of this tradition is to find something interesting to read or watch as I try to ignore the whole thing. Especially the folks up the street, working to burn down the neighborhood using the illegal fireworks they brought back from West Virginia. Or North Carolina.

David Letterman used to joke that the Fourth of July was the day when Americans indulged in their two favorite pastimes: drinking and blowing up stuff. It’s funny because it’s true.

For that reason alone, I’ve never been a big fan of this particular holiday. And, since I don’t celebrate the so-called national birthday, I suppose you could say I’m not very patriotic. I’ve actually been told that a few times.

But is that how we define “patriotism”? For me, a patriot is someone who is working to make life in this country better for as many people as possible. Not those who fly the most flags, sing the national anthem the loudest, or chant U-S-A with the most enthusiasm.

Like so many other holidays and celebrations, on Independence Day we reduce the original meaning down to a few easily performed gestures and ignore much of the detail. It all becomes another excuse to have a party.

Anyway, sorry for being the holiday curmudgeon. Enjoy whatever celebration you have planned. But also try to remember that this country has always been far from perfect. And that all of us need to find our own meaningful ways to move it in that direction.

Side note: if you want a reminder of how the history most of us were taught in school is more myth than fact, check out a two-part program on HBO called “Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl”. Keeping in mind that the show was going for laughs, it still manages to hold up as a good history lesson.

The photo is a publicity shot of my wife’s choir borrowed from the PBS website. She’s not in it (probably off the frame to the left) and I have no idea when it was taken. I can tell you I only recognize a few people and only one is still a member of the group. I think.