These are some of the places throughout America where people proudly wear patriotism all year round.
Drones show replacing firework displays in some cities
Drones are used in or in place of fireworks in some cities, providing viewers something new and addressing environmental concerns.
Audubon, NJ – Every July 4th, this small town has a marching band, a fire truck, a baby stroller spun with stars, and a child riding a red and blue blue bike.
Homeowners compete for the best decorated home. The fire station has an open house with complimentary hot dogs. The fourth is usually concluded with a high school fireworks show, just like everyone else in America.
But waving the flag is not an hour’s deal here. The district, which has about 8,700 people, was built on a pillar of patriotism. Audubon is home to three Medal of Honor recipients who have been awarded the highest military honors and was awarded to those who have shown extraordinary courage in the battle.
The memorial to the three Medal of Honor recipients is a reminder of the sacrifices at Audubon High School. Samuel M. Sampler from World War I, Edward C. Benfold and Nelson V.
Mayor Rob Jackbowski says Audubon is “always green and gold,” referring to the school’s signature colours. “But we are always red, white, and blue.”
“Audubon loves the country and shows the sacrifices these men have made on July 4th each year,” he told USA Today.
There are other small towns that have been passionate about their love for America since July 4th.
Bedford, Virginia: Bedford Boys’ Home, D-Day Heroes
In Bedford, Virginia, the cost of freedom may be understood a little more deeply than in other small towns.
The town is home to the Bedford Boys, a member of Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Regiment. The company sent 38 men to the D-Day invasion of Normandy Beach, accounting for the casualties of a per capita, vital battle more than any other town in the United States.
Bedford remembers 20 home town men who lost their lives in the battle. I remember the aftermath that followed through observations, memorials and the National D-Day Memorial.
“It’s a very close community,” said Noel Woodcock of the Bedford Museum and Genealogy Library. The company A man came mostly from a poor rural background and didn’t think he was called for combat duties, but signed the National Guard services for a good paying job, she said. Yet men served with courage, and many made the ultimate sacrifice.
Bristol, Rhode Island: Celebrating since 1785
The Revolutionary War Veterans of Bristol began their first known observance in 1785 of the “Patriotic Movement,” an event honoring military veterans. The Rev. Henry Wight of the first congregation church began in the early 19th century when the town’s website and the day of Bristol’s independence began.
The town of about 23,000 people sees about 200,000 people at its annual July 4th event. This actually starts on the flag day of June 14th and includes a concert series, an orange crate derby, a parade and fireworks. Preparations began a year ago, with Residents and Planning Committee member Kamille Teisheyla talking to USA Today, with over 150 committee members and volunteers working to organize and carry out the activities.
“You take such pride to honor all these people,” she said, calling it a “big and glorious celebration.”
“I stand there and cry through the national anthem. It’s a great experience.”
Cooperstown, New York: A story of (some) origins in baseball
What are Americans more than baseball?
Even if the American Baseball Research Association uncovers the myth that the inventing national entertainment in Hamlet, New York by Abner Doubleday, Cooperstown is still leaning towards myths (accepting that “baseball history is actually much more complicated than that”).
Ryan Geraty, director of marketing and communications at Cooperstown, says that a small village of 1,600 welcomes “hundreds of thousands” of people every summer, many of whom are baseball players, coaches and fans, but many are also drawn to other attractions.
Double Dayfield and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum may be stars of the Cooperstown lineup, but the birthplace of “Last of the Moheecan” author James Fenimo Cooper is home to the Fennimore Museum (a rich collection of Native American art) on Main Street, featuring shops, restaurants and Lake Otzego with its scenic Lake.
“July is our time to shine,” Gerati said. It’s not just baseball diamonds. “We are the most perfect village in America. There are fireworks in the lake (July 4th),” says the Springfield Center near New York, which will host its 111th Independence Day Parade.
Gallup, New Mexico: Home of Code Talker in Navajo
Gallup’s location in American history dates back long before America It was Matt Robinson, the tourism and marketing managers for the town of New Mexico, told USA Today. Known in the Dine language of Navajo na’nizhoozhior “bridge”, Gallup was a Native American trade center for centuries before its official establishment in 1881.
“We bring people together,” said Robinson, including all types of Indigenous communities, veterans and Americans, attracted by Gallup’s natural beauty and rich native history.
But he said Gallup “is disproportionate in a good way – and there are also Native Americans who served the military.
Named “America’s most patriotic small town” by Land McNally in 2013 and 2014, Gallup welcomes its annual ride from California to Washington, DC and motorcycle walls to honor veterans along Route 66 through the town.
“We try to embody patriotism in our daily lives,” Robinson said. “Our town is full of history from thousands of years ago and we praise our local Indigenous communities to keep those traditions alive.”
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: “A pivotal moment in American history”
Other towns in the United States have given no name to both the decisive battle in the war to continue to unite our nation, and the historic president’s speech intended to heal the wounds of a torn nation.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is the bloody Civil War battle, a three-day trial with 50,000 casualties and estimated to be “home to some of the most pivotal moments in American history,” said Mary Grace Kaufman, media relations manager at destination Gettysburg.
A few days after the battle that helped change the tides of the Union forces, President Abraham Lincoln came to the battlefield to give a speech by Gettysburg, one of the most famous speeches in American history.
The battle took place between July 1st and 3rd, 1863, and July 4th is of course Independence Day. The National Park Service will host Ranger Talk, with tours and reenactments in Gettysburg.
“It’s really important to remember history, sacrifice and where we came as a nation,” Kaufman said. “This is the closest thing you can see in person.”
Want to share slices of Americana with USA Today? Please email phaedra trethan at ptrethan@usatoday.com. Please email us via x (formerly Twitter) @wordsbyphaedra, bluesky @byphaedra, or thread @by_phaedra.
