The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

I pause this week of Independence Day to remember the sacrifices that have been made and that continue to be made for the benefit of our country.

This week especially we mourn the loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona.

They're not the only ones who've given their lives for our country. We've lost soldiers in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, good people who dared greatly and put their lives on the line for the interests of our country. This is a tradition that goes back to the days of the revolution.

Of course, there are wounded survivors of our conflicts. Some have physical wounds; some have wounds in their souls that run much deeper than they realize and that can trigger emotion from something as simple as hearing certain sounds.

It doesn't have to be war that creates wounds and loss. Last week, the US Supreme Court made two rulings on marriage equality that, among other things, recognized that all people need to be treated the same under the law. Over the years, many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons have endured loss and discrimination that leaves deep wounds on the soul. The court decisions came as vindication to them. And while marriage equality isn't equal in all states, the court's actions were historic.

So as the fireworks go off and we celebrate our independence, let's pause to think of the many sacrifices that created and that sustain that independence in so many different arenas, and let's honor those sacrifices and keep that spirit alive for those who come after us.