Salute to America is expected to draw about 50,000 people this year.
The organizers invite and urge Central Missourians to attend the three-day event from Thursday through Saturday.
We encourage participants to join us in thanking and recognizing the businesses, organizations and individuals involved in preparing this year's event.
A special Salute to America 2015 section in Saturday's News Tribune listed:
• Nearly 80 sponsors, supporters, partners and friends who provided assistance.
• A 13-member Foundation Board to coordinate the festival.
• More than 30 festival committee chairmen to oversee activities, events, venues and other tasks.
We can't begin to calculate the number of hours or total cost of this commitment. But we can marvel at the amount of cooperation and cohesion among diverse partners working together toward a common goal.
The Salute to America planning, in many ways, reflects the meaning of community.
The festival is a gift to the community bestowed by people, organizations and companies that cherish the lifestyle they have been able to enjoy in this community.
Salute to America celebrates our nation's independence and our individual freedoms.
But neither independence nor freedom is absolute. In living rooms, town halls, state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, diverse opinions are voiced, compromises are forged and growth and progress result.
Our differences, our diversity and our ability to change all are strengths.
Independence Day is a time to celebrate our shared strengths. And Salute to America is a community gift for everyone to enjoy.