Annual 4th of July cookout at SWAC House* ... 2010

The annual 4th of July cookout ended with a fireworks display.

American flags and yellow ribbons were reminders of the freedom and liberty we enjoy, and of the military men and women who have died as well as the ones who are still fighting a war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

American flags against a hot July 4th Shenandoah Valley blue sky ...

... with the Appalachian Mountains in the distance.

Teens and 20-somethings filled the back yard. Many of our future conservative leaders will come from these ranks.

U.S. military, computer scientists and programmers, engineers, entertainment field, business entrepreneurs, the ministry, shop keepers, police enforcement, teachers ... that's just some of what these young people are contributing to society.



The youngest were 2, 4, and 6 years old ... the teenagers and 20-somethings energized us ... the mom-and-dad generations of 30-, 40-, and 50-somethings ... and the retired folks and grandparents ... about 70 friends of all ages gathered to celebrate our Nation's birthday.

Everyone brings a side dish, dessert, drinks, garden vegetables ... whatever they want to contribute ... and it is added to the hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian sausages, and BBQ.

Family, friends, and neighbors.

A variety of games went on in the back yard for kids of all ages.

As dusk fell, the young people gathered under the food awnings to plan the evening's entertainment.

Sgt. Nate Salatin, USMC, who has been deployed to Iraq twice, and his dad. Before dinner, we recognized our active military and veterans, and thanked them for their service to our country with a hearty round of applause.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
4 July 2010

* "SWAC House" was the name given by Yankee Phil after last year's 4th of July picnic