James A. Surrell, M.D.

In just three days, we celebrate our wonderful patriotic Fourth of July. This clearly is my favorite time of our wonderful Upper Peninsula summers. At this time, we all have the opportunity to celebrate our great country with numerous local parades and spectacular fireworks displays after sunset. Today, let us again take a brief look at the history of this great celebration.

In June of 1776, the representatives from the 13 colonies that made up the Continental Congress resolved that it was now time to declare our independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, these brave representatives voted to officially declare our independence. Thomas Jefferson then prepared the magnificent document that we know today as our Declaration of Independence. This incredible historic document was then officially adopted by the leaders of our great nation on July 4, 1776. From this date in 1776 until the present time, the Fourth of July has been celebrated as the birth date of our American independence, and that is why it remains so special to this day. Of course, July 4th was also unofficially celebrated during the late 1700’s and the 1800’s as our citizens recalled the struggles of the American Revolutionary War that took place from 1775 to 1783.

What follows is certainly a very profound coincidence. Two of our greatest leaders, John Adams, our second President, and Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, both passed away on the very same day. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, and this was exactly on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

If you have the opportunity to do so, please be sure to give a big “Thank You” to any past or present member of our United Sates military with whom you may have contact. Let us never forget how much we all owe to each and every person who has served this great nation to preserve our very precious freedom, with liberty and justice for all. Of course, this is so clearly stated in the brief but very special wording found in our United States Pledge of Allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

As we all get ready to celebrate this wonderful patriotic holiday, let me now share with you some of my silly USA humor:

What is the most patriotic fish in all of the USA? “Uncle Salmon.”

What would be Uncle Sam’s favorite fish? The “Red, White, and Bluegill.”

What was the most popular dance in 1776? The “Indepen-dance.”

What did one flag say to the other flag on the Fourth of July? It didn’t say anything, it just waved.

What did the other flag say back? Quit waving at me. I came out here to “hang out” alone.


I previously told one of my silly bad jokes to the Liberty Bell? I really cracked it up! 


I sincerely wish you all a very Patriotic and Happy Fourth of July.