That’s why I am so thankful for the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, who have made it possible for this year to be different. We have vaccines in arms and life is getting back to some kind of normal.

I’m under no illusion that we can just go back to pre-pandemic thinking. We’ve lost too many and the scars of isolation will linger. But as we get ready tonight to go out and watch fireworks, I also think it’s important to be grateful for the immense progress we’ve made.

So today we take a breath, but not a break. We celebrate our freedoms and our independence, we honor those who are serving abroad or couldn’t be with us, and may we never take our freedoms or democracy for granted.

I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day!

Josh