Editor:

The Fourth of July gives a nation a reason to celebrate their freedom of choice with events ranging from fireworks to fishing, for it is the presents on a birthday.

However it was through the power of the written word that our nation celebrates today. By the efforts of people willing to write ideas to paper along with signing a name to such work. Then leaders willing to read and process such words into action for the people they represented.

Today, though, people question if their words are still read, or processed into action, without a private agenda attached by the elected officials.

Every day, though, the American papers still print letters to the editor, from the people who still have the courage to write their papers. These letters are the common voice of Americans who express the common person's reasons for his or her views for or against our forms of government and policies.

These words still touch the nerves of people in government and people who don't agree with a particular point of opinion. Yet these very comments or opinions are the true reason for the Fourth of July.

These people celebrate their freedom every time a word is written. They are celebrating independence. If such opportuntities were missing today, our nation would no longer have a common voice.

Happy birthday and thank you to all the fine Americans who take the time to write the common thought and give a nation a voice. Along with all the local newspapers editors and staff that strive to keep that voice alive.

KEN CASNER, Elk Mountain