Celebrate freedom, but recall struggle In Excelsior Springs, we're already well into the Independence Day season. Not only can you hear the whizzes and pops of fireworks in virtually every neighborhood in town -- despite fireworks being banned in Excelsior Springs -- but local residents already saw a fireworks display Saturday night. Well, more fireworks are on the way, and we know almost everyone will be celebrating the Fourth of July with their friends and families. It's easy as we light firecrackers and fountains, or as we watch the amazing bursts overhead, to focus on the celebration of freedom. After all, to most of us, that's what Independence Day is: an opportunity to observe our nation1s birthday and a chance to celebrate life in the free world. But that overlooks the long struggle our nation has faced as we have worked toward freedom. The Declaration of Independence wasn't the first step in our fight to break free from British rule, and it certainly wasn't the last. For years, American rebels fought against British redcoats, and the early years of our nation were anything but calm, as the new government tried to establish a framework within which our freedoms would be observed. And despite lessons about the Founding Fathers, they disagreed strongly about some aspects of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other components of the fledgling U.S. government. Nor did the fight toward freedom end in those days. The Civil War and other conflicts cemented our freedoms, as did non-military battles such as the fight for civil rights. Celebrate our Independence this weekend, but remember that it didn't come easily.