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My Point of View by Robert Hoffman

On this July Fourth, the United States is celebrating its 249th birthday. The nation officially declared its independence on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

A very happy Fourth of July to all of us in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. We are kicking off a very exciting time together on the eve now of America’s 250th birthday next year. A 250th birthday is known as the semiquincentennial (two and a half centuries), but I will never refer to it as that again because “Happy 250th America” is a lot more fun to say to each other!

We want to wish everyone a safe Fourth of July holiday and hope they spend it with those that value our country for all that it has given us and with the shared hope for the future we can continue to build together, especially right here in our amazing little communities.

One of the region’s best parades is right here in Albert Lea starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday July 3. Your Freeborn County Republicans had a blast saying “thank you” at the Alden Morin Lake Days parade a few weeks ago. We were the only political entry in Alden’s parade, and though it was a non-election year we were very welcomed by everyone and think our energetic, positive, youthful and simple message of “thanks” was more than well received (so was our music and all our American flags). We look forward to “rocking” Albert Lea’s parade on Thursday also. This year we are focused on saying thank you — next year we will rock-the-vote!

The Albert Lea fireworks, boat parade, many food vendors, restaurants open with special hours and a ton of activities can easily fill the upcoming holiday weekend. So can taking a moment to express our thanks for everything we have been given, everything we’ve accomplished and everything that lies ahead. With true hard work, some sacrifice and a lot of effort we will pass on even more for future generations to also be thankful for.

We look forward to seeing you at the parade, looking at the same sky during the fireworks and spending time together with these small communities we love. Have a great Fourth of July and happy 249th birthday America.

Robert Hoffman is the chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party.