Tag: Independence Day

EXAIR Wishes You a Happy Independence Day

Published on by johnball2014Leave a comment
Independence Day

Every year on the 4th of July, Americans celebrate Independence Day with family, cook outs, parades and of course fireworks.  It is time to rejoice and reflect on how our nation began in 1776 by declaring our independence from British rule.  Did you know the United States of America started with 13 states? Here are some other interesting facts about Independence Day:

  • John Hancock was the only person that signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. The 55 other people signed afterwards.
  • The average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 45. The oldest was Benjamin Franklin at the age of 70.
  • Only two of the signers later became President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They both died on July 4th, 1826.
  • Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4th, 1872.
  • Benjamin Franklin suggested the turkey as the national bird, but was overruled to make it the bald eagle.
  • Every 4th of July, the Liberty Bell is tapped, not rung, thirteen times in honor of the original 13 states. I can’t blame them, it has a crack in it.
  • July 4th was declared a holiday in 1870, 94 years after the declaration.
  • Americans consume about 155 million hot dogs on Independence Day, the biggest hot dog holiday of the year. (And it is one of my favorite foods)
  • Fireworks were first used to celebrate the 4th of July in 1777 in Philadelphia.

I hope you enjoyed this read, and from the EXAIR family to your family, we want to wish you a wonderful 4th of July. EXAIR Will be closed on July 4, 2017.

John Ball
Application Engineer

Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

 

Photo: Happy 4th of July by Karson Designs.  Creative Commons 2.0

Happy Independence Day From EXAIR!

Published on by Tyler DanielLeave a comment
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Please Note: EXAIR will be closed July 4th in observation of the United States Independence Day

Summer is my favorite time of year. Warm weather, hanging out by the pool, and enjoying the outdoors (weather permitting of course). It’s also the time of year when my favorite holiday occurs, Independence Day. EXAIR will be closed on July 4th in celebration of Independence Day. On this day 243 years ago the Declaration of Independence was adopted, marking the official legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain.

Although today we celebrate on July 4th, Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier on July 2nd. If it were up to John Adams, that would be the date we commemorate to this day. He wrote in a letter to his wife that this would be the most memorable day in the history of America, to be celebrated by pomp and parade, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other. In protest of July 4th being designated a federal holiday, he was reported to turn down invitations to appear. Coincidentally, both he and Thomas Jefferson both passed away on July 4, 1829 on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

I imagine the celebrations looked quite a bit different back then, but today many of us will spend time with our family and friends enjoying some BBQ. Parades and firework shows are also in abundance as we celebrate together as a country in unison.

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” – Harry S. Truman

The very same can be said of EXAIR, built on the courage, imagination and determination of our late founder Roy Sweeney. Without his willingness to take risks and build his version of the American Dream, we would have never come to be.

So while we celebrate, hot dog in hand, take a moment to reflect on what it means to be an American. Enjoy your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To all of my fellow Americans on behalf of EXAIR, Happy Birthday to US!

Tyler Daniel
Application Engineer
E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_TD

 

Photo courtesy of Andy Morffew via Creative Commons License

Independence Day

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

I think the Fourth of July might be my favorite summer holiday. Warm weather, picnics, family, friends, fireworks…and a day off to enjoy it all to its fullest! It’s also the second summer holiday in fairly rapid succession; coming just a few weeks after Memorial Day. I’ve written before (twice, actually) about the differences in what we’re observing on these two holidays, but I’m still keenly aware of their importance to our American heritage: Memorial Day, as a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedoms. And Independence Day, as, what John Adams called, “the great anniversary festival:”

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
-John Adams, in a letter to his wife, upon signing the Declaration of Independence.

Since Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, the management at EXAIR have graciously given us the day off on July 3rd in observance of the holiday. My neighborhood is decorated, as usual, with American flags up and down every street. I’m doubly blessed that where I get to spend my weekdays, and where I get to spend my weeknights & weekends, are both in tune with celebrating what I like to call the American Dream.

My fellow veterans at EXAIR on the left; my neighborhood on the right. Great places to spend time.
My fellow veterans at EXAIR on the left; my neighborhood on the right. Great places to spend time.

For all of you in the United States, happy birthday to US, and all my best wishes for a wonderful weekend to everyone.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
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4th of July Remembrance

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I, like many U.S. citizens enjoyed the festivities over this past 4th of July. Let us not forget the 8,000 patriots that gave their lives for our independence as well as the 848, 163 others who perished in subsequent wars protecting our freedom. Below is the top 10 wars ranked by casualties.

 Top 10 wars ranked by casualties

  1. World War II (1941–1945)………………………….291,557
  2. U.S. Civil War (1861–1865)…………………………212,938
  3. World War I (1917–1918)…………………………….53,402
  4. Vietnam War (1955–1975)……………………………47,424
  5. Korean War (1950–1953)……………………………..33,746
  6. U.S. Revolutionary War (1775–1783)…………….8,000
  7. War on Terror (2001–present))………………………5,281
  8. War of 1812 (1812–1815)……………………………….2,260
  9. Mexican–American War (1846–1848)…………….1,733
  10. Northwest Indian War (1785–1795)………………1,221
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EXAIR’s U.S. Armed Services Veterans

We have a lot to be thankful for and owe a debt of appreciation to our service personnel past and present. EXAIR honored our employees that served by awarding them a commemorative plaque. Each branch of the armed services were served by one of our employees.

Also the Grand Lodge of Ohio Masons presented them with a commemorative medallion celebrating the laying of the cornerstone at Perry’s Monument Put-In-Bay, Ohio.

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Perry’s Monument is the only federal monument dedicated to peace.  The memorial is a great Doric Column of pink-white granite 45 feet in diameter and 352 tall. Beneath the stone floor of the monuments lie the remains of three U.S. officers and three British officers.

Thank you EXAIR veterans and all veterans. Your service appreciated and humbling.

Joe Panfalone
Application Engineer
Phone (513) 671-3322
Fax (513) 671-3363
Web: http://www.exair.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/exair_jp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exair