Here in the 16th District, and all over Missouri, summer means great times for family-friendly activities. Our state is famous for float trips, picnics, county fairs and celebrations all summer long.

As we celebrate our nation’s independence, a great many of us will attend fireworks displays presented by our cities or counties. These are some of the biggest events of the year. But while we gaze skyward at the beautiful pyrotechnics overhead, we need to remember the iconic symbolism of this occasion.

With a stroke of a pen, 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the fledgling republic of the United States of America severed all ties with Britain, setting the stage for the American Revolution. Many lives were lost in the quest for independence, yet we stood firm as a country, united by the hopes and dreams of those with a thirst for freedom.

Later, during the War of 1812, while witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Baltimore Harbor, Francis Scott Key penned the now-famous poem that became the Star-Spangled Banner. I believe this has been one of the key reasons for the use of fireworks during the celebration of Independence Day.

We still fight to protect those freedoms today, as our men and women in uniform serve here and all over the globe to keep America free.

As always, I encourage my constituents to contact me throughout the year with comments, questions or suggestions by calling my office at (573) 751-5713. To find more information about the bills I sponsor, or visit www.senate.mo.gov/brown. Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.