Originally, I was scheduled to write a column that talked about how much I love July 4. Which I do. It’s my second-favorite day of the year, trailing only Thanksgiving.
I used to like New Year’s Day — wall to wall football — but two things have happened to New Year’s. 1. We get wall to wall football every Saturday of the college football season. And 2. I’m usually working on New Year’s, and while I appreciate the wall to wall football in some Miami or Phoenix hotel room, it’s not the same.
So Thanksgiving and Independence Day it is. I like Thanksgiving because the weather is great, the food is splendid, the football is good and I’m always with family, never in some faraway city. July 4 doesn’t have good weather, doesn’t have football, but I’m always with family, and often the day comes in the middle of the week.
I love holidays that don’t cater to the Monday tradition. Nothing against July 4’s summer brothers, Memorial Day and Labor Day, but a holiday that sticks to its date packs a punch. It’s got attitude. And Friday is the best day for July 4; most people get off, plus they have Saturday off to recover from late-night fireworks.
Of course, if I did write about why it’s great to be American, this would be a special year to do it, for Oklahoma sports fans. Dreams do come true. The NBA is in Oklahoma City, not temporarily. The Sonics — sorry, I’m calling them the Sonics in an act of rebellion against the authorities until the team gets a new name; the team’s phone bank answers calls by saying “Thank you for calling the Sonics…” — are here, and the city is buzzing.
This is a monumental time for Oklahoma City. All those grand plans by politicians and business leaders and Bricktown pioneers has continued to pay off and pay off, and OKC soars. All of Oklahoma, too.
Around Oklahoma lakes and gas grills today, the NBA will replace the price of fuel as the No. 1 topic of conversation. It’s a special time. We’re on the ground floor of Oklahoma City’s elevation into the national consciousness.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Yes the 4th. is a great day for America!!
I have to make another comment about the basketball team, NBA that is coming here. Only a fool would not realize that the calls from New Jersey, Indiana, etc. that were noted in today’s paper, are calls from would be scalpers, who want to sell those tickets on e-bay or whatever. They will never set foot in OKC. GEEEZ, I hate scalpers or ticket brokers or whatever name these low lifes want to call themself. Many of the tickets sold in dear old OKC will go to these brokers in hope of cashing in on the rush to see this team the first year. And, of course, some marketing radio people just love to advertise for these low lifes.
July 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Great to have the NBA back in OKC. As to a name………..how about BOOMERS?
July 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
4th of July has always been a special day for me. like you said, family gets together and especially if you are a kid have a great time. when i was in the Honor Guard in the Air Force at Tinker, we got to lead the parade. I believe the first one was in 1991 in Bricktown. I remember the Big American Flag that flew and one of the bricks below the flag has my name on it. but there were so many people and all the flag waving and patriotism that was there made me extremely proud to be an American and from Oklahoma. Yes it is great to finally have a NBA team here and hope i get to see some games. on a cops salary season tickets is out the question but i hope they(Bennett) have discounts for disabled veterans so i might be able to go. Berry keep up the good work. As veteran I hope they name them THUNDERBIRDS or THUNDERHAWKS
July 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Berry’s choice is the right choice–THUNDERBIRDS!