Eikenhout : Roofing, Siding and Windows

Traditions and Fourth of July

This past week my wife Betsy and I traveled to Vermont to attend a meeting of BSC (Building Suppliers Company, LLC) our distributor association. We have been members of BSC for twelve years now, and have benefitted immensely from its education programs and exchanges of best practices from companies like ours throughout the States.

In Vermont we stayed at an historic hotel in a little village tucked in the mountains. There were pictures on the walls and rooms that dated back to the early 1900’s of travelers that had stayed there. I believe the place was close to 300 years old, and it was definitely steeped in tradition.

Betsy’s extended family is from the area where we stayed, so while I attended meetings on Thursday, she visited cousins in the Vergennes/Middlebury area (Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream country) and on Sunday we travelled to Middletown, NY for Sunday dinner with Aunt Janet. Aunt Janet cooks every Sunday for any family member that shows up. Uncle Bud (who passed away in April) put an addition on the old farmhouse years ago that houses one big table that seats 30 or more, and a couple of couches to relax on afterwards. When we got there, Aunt Janet said that she expected 26 – 30, and the table was full when she said grace. What a great experience to be able to sit at the dinner table with 4 generations, and what a wonderful tradition.

Betsy and I drove home (11 hours) after dinner, the first couple of hours were kind of rough after that big meal of roast pork, mashed potatoes and all the fixings. We talked a lot about that family and the fun that they have every Sunday. Can you imagine the grandkids bringing their dates there for the first time? So much of our lives revolve around traditions and family.

This coming weekend is steeped in traditions. We go to parades and picnics, fly the flag and barbeque, run around the yard with sparklers and watch fireworks, go to baseball games and county fairs. We often forget that the 4th of July is really Independence Day, the day that we celebrate our separation from Great Britain, and the vision that those founding fathers had for a tiny new nation 235 years ago.

While we honor our soldiers, past and present, on Memorial Day, let’s not forget that their sacrifice makes it possible for us to celebrate today. My nephew Nate just finished Basic Training and is in Officers Training School. It gives me a whole new appreciation for our servicemen, knowing what he is going through and the commitment he and every other soldier makes. Thanks to all of you who have served and are currently serving.

Have a safe and happy Holiday as you enjoy all of the traditions of the 4th of July.