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At 2:00 a.m. we hovered above the surging waters of the Pacific Ocean in the dark cabin of a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter.  A couple of young guys who had decided to climb a tall rock spire along the Oregon coastline on a 4th of July weekend were stuck, and needed to be rescued.  It was pretty impressive watching a skilled Coast Guard crew,  wearing Night Vision goggles, maneuver the aircraft carefully into position over the tall rock formation, ultimately plucking the men off the top of the spire using a rescue basket.   The crew put their own lives on the line, in the dark to bring these young men home safely.

I had chosen the 4th of July weekend to go on call and shoot a story  with the Coast Guard because I knew they'd be busy.  When people are out having fun on the holidays and find themselves in trouble, rescue crews--be they firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, police officers, E.R. crews--are there to save them.  Far too often, of course, alcohol is a factor.  Yet the men and women who protect us don't ask questions or pass judgment about how someone got into trouble, they simply do their jobs, often putting themselves at risk in the process.   

The same can be said for the men and women serving our country overseas in the military as we celebrate our nation's birth.  While you and I are enjoying a fireworks display at home, the objects lighting up the skies over their heads are potentially lethal.   They bravely face that danger for us and for our nation every day. 

On July 4th, 1776, when our founding fathers approved the Declaration of Independence, they knew the King of England could order them to swing from the nearest tree for treason, if they were caught.   They were willing to give their own lives for the greater good of the people and their new country. 

As we remember the heroes of 1776 this holiday weekend, we should take a moment to also remember those in uniform--military, fire, & and police--who are there to serve while we celebrate.