Because of them..

...we have our freedom.

Arnegard 4th of July parade 2012 - honored color guard member Kurt T. Hovet - veteran of the Vietnam War.

When I took this photo 366 days ago I was incredibly proud of so very many things for many, many reasons.  I was proud to have a parent that was a veteran of this country's military.  I was proud that that old ranch horse tolerated the 'city chaos' his first time to town.  I was proud to be celebrating independence day among family, friends and neighbors in a community that holds 100% of my roots.

I was proud to be an American!