Independence Day. Unfortunately, somewhere during the past 229 years, it has become less about independence and more about the day — as a “day” off work.

In most cases, Independence Day has lost a good deal of its original intent.

Don’t believe it? Try Googling it on the Web, first reference is the 1996 movie of the same name. And while Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith and Bill Pullman do a fine job fending off an army of aliens hell bent on destroying the human race, the fact that “America’s Birthday” plays second fiddle is a telling sign of where it ranks with many who call the United States home.

The holiday has become just another name on a growing list of those which a lessening number of Americans find of notable significance. After all, 1776 was a long time ago and the people and government of Britain have long since become our allies.

But while it is history now, many of this nation’s people would just as soon forget those who fought and died during the colonies’ struggle to break loose from King George III.

Although North End folks aren’t often seen cursing the likes of this long past tyrant, and many “get it right” on July 4 (or in Poulsbo’s case, July 3) by marking the occasion with parades, good old-fashioned fun and sponsored fireworks displays, there is another element in the community we would like to address.

First, it is true that thousands of North Kitsap residents take the safe-and-sane approach to Independence Day by attending professional displays on July 3rd and 4th (although getting stuck in an hour-long traffic jam for a 30-minute show can hardly be called “sane”).

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of others who like to take matters into their own hands — some of which will be missing fingers by the end of the three-day weekend, no doubt.

The message of safety is virtually lost in this area and fire district spokeswomen Michelle Jennings (Poulsbo Fire Department) and Michéle Laboda (North Kitsap Fire & Rescue) might as well have gag orders on them for the weeks prior to the festivities.

The legal lighting period is given about as much attention as the true meaning behind Independence Day. It is noticed but not really given much thought at all. Sadly enough, neither are our fire departments nor the safety of those who make their living combating the late-June and early-July blazes that are all too often the result of someone’s careless and illegal behavior.

To their credit, our fire departments do their best.

They get the same message out and in the “war zone” that ensues, their pleas of staying safe are all but lost on kids and adults. Many of the former get their hands on the latters’ fireworks and many of the latter get their hands on booze before taking a punk-wielding stumble toward a paper bag full of fireworks. With a microbrew in hand and a pocket full of firecrackers, what could go wrong on Independence Day?

It’s not as if there are a bunch of children running around with sparklers blazing away at a searing 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit or a dozen Roman candles shooting in all directions, right? That sure sounds like a safe situation.

Why not have a few brews before lighting that Whistling Pete and scaring the neighbors’ dogs halfway to Canada?

It’s a real shame the important messages are lost on what should be this nation’s greatest celebratory day.

For what it’s worth, we hope our readers will be safe next weekend and take a moment or two to recognize the folly that exists in the fact that our forefathers laid their lives on the line so some could live free and burn down their neighbor’s home with an errant bottlerocket.