With “pomp and parade,” Americans are celebrating the 206th anniversary ofthe nation’s “birthday of freedom.” Coming as it does on Sunday this year, Independence Day is an especially – appropriate time for commemorative services and meditation on the meaning of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress July 4, 1776. Traditionally, celebrating communities channel shows, sports, and fireworks to other days of the holiday weekend. One of the major celebrations, known as ”America’s Freedom Festival at Provo,” is attracting large crowds to this Central Utah city. President Reagan graciously declined an invitation to speak after weighing other duties and demands of the day. The week-long Provo fete includes a patriotic Sunday service at which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will sing; the grand parade Monday; and such other past or coming activities as a musical show, cloggers festival, freedom ball, picnic in the park. arts and crafts show, and fireworks spectacular, Provo won a Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge award for the celebration last year, and Chairman John Terry Jeffers calls the 1982 version the biggest yet. The Declaration of Independence was colonial America’s testament of liberty and serves today as a guide, dream, and goal. The document proclaimedlthe 13 original colonies “free and independent states,” It climaxed a series of steps that led to the colonists’ final separation from England. Freedom and peace still had to be won on the battlefields of the Revolutionary War. Likewise they must be preserved by the resolve and actions of present and future generations. Fourth of July celebrations, you might say, are in keeping with the words of patriot John Adams, second American president: “…this great anniversary festival ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almightymwith pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the country to the other..,” President Reagan spoke of Adams and “illuminations” in his Independence Day proclamation. Recalling an incident out of history, he related that while walking in Philadelphia on the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Adams noticed tht many citizens had placed lighted candles in their windows. “It was the most splendid illumination I ever saw,” Adams was quoted as saying. E Reagan seemed to speak Q for all Americans when he; concluded: “As we com-; memorate the 206th an-1 niversary of our in-2 dependence and reflect on; the blessings of liberty, let; us fervently pray that God? will always guide our ef-: forts to preserve thati “splendid illumination”E for ourselves, our’posterity, and freedom-! loving people around the! globe.” g