Special to the Town Crier
Los Altos residents picnicked among the redwood trees in Shoup Park on the Fourth of July to celebrate their freedom and our nation's independence.
They were treated to a variety of holiday activities during a noontime presentation put on by a Los Altos group, Citizens For A Glorious 4th."
The United States Air Force band played, among other numbers, the theme songs of the four branches of the military.
In addition, United States Marine Corps personnel in full-dress uniform performed military drills.
Navy Capt. George Wright delivered the invocation, and a group of Sea Scouts served as color guard during the pledge of allegiance.
The keynote speech was given by Richard Burress, senior fellow emeritus of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, which is located at Stanford University.
Burress spoke on the formation of the Declaration of Independence, stressing the enormous risks taken by its signers, who "signed their names knowing full well that if the revolution failed, they were signing their death warrants."
"What a beginning. What a challenge," Burress said. "And this is the Declaration and challenge that we are celebrating today. A challenge that has been handed down from one generation to the next ...
"We are charged to keep the flame of our ancestors alive after it has been passed to us."
Burress said "the torch was handed on in good times and in bad."
He referred to Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation," saying "He (Brokaw) was referring to the World War II generation. ... I cannot agree with him. I am convinced I am looking at the greatest generation. It is all of you out there and all the generations to come who accept the challenge and carry forward the torch of freedom that our forefathers lit on that fateful day, July 4, 1776."
After the closing remarks, the United States Air Force Band played "Taps," ending the formalities of the day. Los Altos neighbors then settled down to picnics on the lawn and the smaller joys of freedom.
- Donna Semelmaker contributed to this story.