Well, another Independence Day has passed but, in many ways, it has been a very unique one for me.
First, it is only the second time that I can remember being out of the country during the 4th of July holiday. The first time was back in my high school days when I visited Mexico. Even then, our tour guide bought some illegal fireworks and we had fun lighting them at night and tossing them at each other! Only in Mexico!
Secondly, even though I received many good wishes from the group here on the occasion of our independence day, it was clear that it wasn't necessarily something many Brits think about. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that we were once their colony and that they still hold a bit of ill-feeling about our ability to successfully throw off the yoke of the British monarchy over 230 years ago. I'm not sure if this is a valid excuse given the fact that many Brits would like to rid themselves of the monarchy. Suffice it to say that, with the exception of sympathetic feelings for Queen Elizabeth, most of the population doesn't seem to care much about Prince Philip, Charles, or any other member of the Windsor family.
The more plausible explanation for the low key acknowledgment of US Independence Day might be that most of the UK is now preoccupied with its own struggle with terrorism which has reared its ugly head again. Several weeks ago, two cars rigged to explode near a popular London market were found. Fortunately, they failed to explode and were successfully defused. Then, a few days ago, two terrorists rammed their burning vehicle into the entrance of Glasgow airport. While no one was killed, the incident sent shock waves through Britain and instigated a massive search operation that resulted in the arrest of 7 alleged terrorists-- nearly all of them employed as health care professionals in Britain.
During the past several days, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has covered little else during its news programs and the video of a burning vehicle stuck in the doorway of the airport has been etched into the minds of most people.
In a particularly poignant way, the threat of terrorists seeking to create chaos in Britain reminded me of the cost of freedom that both the U.S. and Britain enjoy. That freedom has made it possible for both nations to open their doors to immigrants from almost every corner of the globe looking for a better way of life. But the same freedom has also opened our doors to those who seek to undermine that freedom. Whatever gripe some may have towards our nations, it is unimaginable that some people would be willing to maim and kill innocents to express their frustration.
So, in my own quiet way, I offered a little prayer for the United States on this 4th of July and joined in everyone else's prayer for the well-being and protection of the British people during this time.
Fr. Perry
