Embracing America’s independence this Fourth of July

Approximately 30 community members and local elected officials attended the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at Rath Park July 2.

Neighbors brought lawn chairs and wore red, white and blue outfits, as they gathered by the gazebo next to the Franklin Square Historical Museum to listen the reading of the historical document.

The United States declared its independence 248 years ago, and Franklin Square community members feel it is important to celebrate the holiday.

Selene Ferdinand, founder of Elmont-based nonprofit Meera Empowerment, feels the holiday is important to celebrate because it celebrates the freedom of the United States.

“I think the Fourth of July is very important because it celebrates the Declaration of Independence and also the freedom of our country,” Ferdinand said.

Event organizers passed out American flags and ice pops for all in attendance ahead of the reading.

The reading was opened by a presentation of colors by members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790 of Valley Stream. Community members held their hands to their hearts as local performers sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”

Members of Boy Scout Troop 485 also attended and took part in the public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages hosted the event with the Franklin Square Historical Museum to highlight the importance the Declaration of Independence and the holiday overall.

Solages believes that the annual reading of the document reminds people to keep fighting for their freedoms because they aren’t always freely given.

“It’s exciting to be able to congregate as a community and read one of the most important documents that we have as a nation,” said Solages. “(One) which intitles us to make sure that we are always fighting for our freedoms and our rights because (they are) not given to us. We have to always be vigilant and fight for the freedoms we have.”