It is the Fourth of July. An old veteran puts on his medals and makes his way to the park where Independence Day celebrations have already begun. He is greeted by the inviting aroma of hamburgers and bratwurst cooking on portable grills, and the sounds of happy voices floating out over the grass on a warm summer breeze. The park is full of picnickers gathered around tables and sitting on blankets under the trees. Children are playing on the swings and slides, and chasing each other around the merry-go-round. There is a softball game on the diamond in the far corner, and splashing can be heard as swimmers cavort in the waves along the beach. A band begins to play patriotic songs from a stage which has been set up next to a statue in the center of the park. Later there will be fireworks.

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