As we near the celebration of our country's 234th birthday, we find ourselves with many of our young people in harm's way, battling the most sadistic, evil and deadly enemy to arise in our entire history.

For seven long years, we have been involved in a war which has, to the best of our knowledge, succeeded in keeping the enemy from our shores. That is the longest period of time in our country's glorious history that American troops have been continuously exposed to the dangers of war.

As we, in relative safety, celebrate, in our many and varied ways, the birthday of this great nation, let's not forget that the Declaration of Independence required, and still requires, the blood of patriots to keep it inviolate.

So on this July Fourth, we should all pause to remember and be grateful that we still have young people willing to validate that great document, even to the point of laying down their precious lives.

Cobb County has a wide variety of celebrations and memorials to our heritage, beginning on Saturday with the Marietta Freedom Parade through downtown Marietta. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church. It will be followed by "The Fourth in the Park" celebration, all-day festivities culminating with the fireworks display after dusk.

For those who desire, the parade can be viewed from the Roof Terrace of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. The ticket price for the "Bird's Eye Parade View" includes a continental breakfast.

The Roof Terrace also will offer a strategic view of the fireworks display later in the day, with the "Red Wine and Brew" party there. The price tag is somewhat higher than for viewing the parade, but we suspect most of the guests will also be pretty high by the time the last sparkler fizzles out.

Saturday night at the Depot in Kennesaw, you can witness "Bruce in the U.S.A" starring the renowned Bruce Springsteen portrayer Matt Ryan and the Bruce Springsteen tribute band. The music will kick off at 6 when the fabulous "Georgia Blues Brothers" take the stage. A fireworks display follows after dark.

Not to be outdone, Cobb's newest "All American City," Acworth, is hosting the "Let Freedom Ring" celebration in Cauble Park on Sunday. Music starts at 2, with several local bands providing the entertainment until 8 when headliner "Flashback" will take over. The music continues right through to the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

Meantime, Powder Springs will kick off its Fourth of July festivities at the Historic Town Square at 4 p.m. Music by the Mustangs, food, games for the kids and fireworks after dark should make for a great time.

For those who want to start the celebrations earlier than the Saturday parade, The Strand is presenting a series of patriotic concerts, "I Hear America Singing," beginning Thursday and continuing Friday and Saturday. Performances are at eight on Thursday and Friday and at seven on Saturday.

Most local churches and synagogues are taking advantage of the fact that the birthday of our country falls on Sunday, turning the entire weekend into a celebration time. There will be patriotic-themed worship services in many of them.

But whether you are religious, agnostic or atheistic, this is a time to pause and reflect on the blessings of our country and recall the events befalling it, since it was born as the dream of a handful of freedom-loving men more than 200 years ago.

Wars have been fought on our soil as well as foreign lands to protect the precious liberty that we should hold so very dear. The reins of government have changed hands, peacefully, 43 times since our country was born.

Never have we changed governing powers by an act of force or sedition. Our government is never handed over out of fear or because of royal succession, but at the will of the people.

As one who has had a longstanding love affair with our country and our flag, I am making a request on behalf of all those who hold our country and our flag dear.

Wherever and however you chose to celebrate, please remember to show the customary and proper respect for your flag. Instill that pride and respect in your children.

Have a marvelous Fourth of July and Happy Birthday, United States Of America!

Pete Borden is a brick mason in east Cobb.