Virgil "Cowboy" Kalbaugh places his hand against a panel of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall on the name of Brent Street, Sunday, July 5, 2009, in Piedmont. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Here’s some interesting pictures from the staff over the last couple of days. Some of these were published in the paper and some were not.

Michael Roeder hits the water as he goes down on his wake skate run during the first day of the Air Nautique WWA National Championships on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City, Okla. by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City's Steve Murphy (21) breaks his bat in the seventh inning during the minor league baseball game between the Omaha Royals and Oklahoma City RedHawks at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 6, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Jacquelyn Renner, 9, places her nose against the chalkboard to experience older forms of student discipline during 1889 School Camp at the 1889 Territory School in Edmond, Okla. Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Fans watch fireworks at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The photographers of The Oklahoman were out in force to cover Independence Day. The weather shifted from nice to muggy and then rain in the evening. I’m glad we got the rain, but just wish it had happened either the day before or the day after. The RedHawks didn’t play their baseball game, but did have fireworks. Other fireworks shows were postponed. Here are some of the photos from the day.

To see a gallery from events around the metro area, click here.

For former President George W. Bush’s Independence Day visit to Woodward, click here.

A gallery of photos from Edmond’s LibertyFest parade is here.

And Bryan Terry did a cool time-lapse video from the LibertyFest parade that we highlighted in this blog entry.

Jesse Hardiman and Ava Welch, 1, walk during Bethany's Centennial Freedom Festival, Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Boy Scouts carry a huge American flag in the LibertyFest Parade in downtown Edmond, OK, Saturday, July 4, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Trent Nondorf, 4, left, and Ethan Nondorf, 2, wait for the start of the Quail Creek Fourth of July parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Kristen Gregory sported a festive Fourth of July headband during LibertyFest at UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Former President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, were given a warm reception when they arrived at Woodward's July 4th celebration and re-dedication of Crystal Beach Park. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Lauren Atkins, 9, from Norman, eats free watermelon at the Norman Independence Day Celebration at Reaves Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Darren Ransley slides on the tarp during a rain delay of the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Omaha Royals at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Fans try to catch a foul ball during the Big 12 Tournament college baseball game between Missouri and Texas Tech at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Friday, May 22, 2009. Texas Tech won, 4-2. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

A child runs the bases at the Bricktown Ballpark during Sunday Fun Day on May 17, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Growing up in Kansas City, my favorite activity in the summer was to go to Royals’ games with my father.  There is no other experience in the world like going to the ball park with your pops.

The sights, the sounds, the smells, the food.  A hot dog at the ball park tastes better than the world’s finest filet mignon.  The crack of a line drive is unforgettable.

Baseball is the the definition of summer.

We would always go to at least three games:  Memorial Day for my birthday, Fourth of July for the fireworks, and my personal favorite Blues Springs’ Day.

Blue Springs Day was extra special. On this day, I would put on my softball uniform cleats and all. And along with hundreds of other future hall of famers, I would parade around the warning track before the game. If was lucky enough,  George Brett might even wave hello.  I felt so cool. I was on top of the world.

Here in Oklahoma City, every Sunday the RedHawks host Sunday Fun Day. After the game, all the children are allowed to run the bases, hit home runs, and play catch with their dad in left field. I certainly wish I had a memory of playing catch in left field at Kauffman Stadium with my pops.

I bet these kids feel as tall as their shadows as they round the bases and will always remember the time they hit a homerun at the Brick.

Summers at the ballpark can create memories of a lifetime.

Children run the bases after the RedHawks baseball game on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

-Sarah Phipps