My earliest memories of the 4th of July are of the family gathering on the shores of Lake Pulaski (in my hometown of Buffalo, Minnesota), and watching the fireworks from the beach. I remember the crowds, which looked huge to me back then, but now as I think about it, really weren't that much. Buffalo only had about 3,000 people back then. It's over five times larger today.

My favorite memory of the holiday so far was the one I celebrated in Las Vegas with my cousin, Lenny, and his family. I had my two teenage children, and we had flown to the desert for the week.