Today is the Fourth of July: The day we celebrate the joys and freedom of living in a wonderful republic founded by brave and brilliant men 229 years ago.

While enjoying traditional parades, picnics and barbecues during the day, and fireworks lighting up our nighttime celebratory sky, the Fourth is also a time to remember those who are serving in the our present-day military forces, at home and abroad, and whose brightly-lit skies reflect a more tragic reality, similar to that of two centuries ago.

We pray for our troops, for those they are fighting to free and protect, and for our military families awaiting the safe return of those they love.

On this day, I share with you letters of interest about members of our military, of all generations.

Mike Beagan of Bangor wrote to express his gratitude to Greater Lincoln Detachment #976, Marine Corps League, which served as Color Guard for the survivor’s lap during the opening ceremony of the 12th annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life recently in Old Town.

“The loyal support of the unit, comprised of veteran Marines” from the Lincoln area “was greatly appreciated, as their participating added much-needed patriotism to the very successful event,” Beagan wrote of the fourth year that the Marine Corps League has been involved with the relay fund-raiser.

The relay set a record with $176,500 raised, and brought “the total amount raised for the 12 years” to more than $1 million for “various programs of the ACS.”

The family of Capt. James Rye of Gretna, Neb., wrote the NEWS to thank the Bangor International Airport Troop Greeters for treating soldiers “so warmly” when they passed through BIA on Friday, June 10.

The Rye family wants the greeters to know “how much we appreciate the treatment of our sons and daughters” that day, who “were treated to a reception, phones to call home and a very warm feeling, from your town, before leaving the states for a year in Iraq.

“Thank you so much,” they wrote, “and God Bless America.”

This letter arrived at the NEWS in a rather interesting way: via United States Postal Service Bangor Postmaster Charlie Gokas, who received permission from the writers to forward it to us.

Merle and Bonnie Posey of Haleyville, Ala., wrote to “Bangor, Maine, postmaster” that they had read about the Maine Troop Greeters “in our Birmingham News.”

They asked our postmaster to “please see that someone in that wonderful group gets this thank you note.

“What a great group of people who live in your city,” they added.

Their letter included a photograph, in uniform, of their grandson, U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Wesley James Posey.

Here is their message to the “Marine Greeters”:

“There are no words to tell you how much we appreciate your welcome to homecoming Marines in Bangor.

“Our grandson, now serving … in Iraq, will be coming home in September or October.

“What a precious service you are giving.

“We wish we could help in some way.

“Could you use help in buying the treats?

“God Bless you.”

A while ago, Ron Warner of the Bangor Veteran Center wrote asking me to remind our readers that for many years the Robert Mullen Fund, administered through VA Voluntary Services, has existed to “help veterans in our community.”

That fund, Warner wrote, “has been able to assist veterans when they need help with a phone bill, an electric bill, some fuel, money for gas to find employment, etc.”

“With so many needs this year, the money in this fund has been almost depleted, and I am asking for your help to make a donation and put some money back into this fund.

“Any amount that you are willing to donate will be greatly appreciated.”

Today, as we celebrate our nation’s freedom, hard won and defended by these veterans who are our neighbors, perhaps you can help them celebrate freedom from need by sending a check or money order made out to VAVS, with Robert Mullen Fund on the memo line, and mail it to Bangor Veteran Center, 352 Harlow St., Bangor 04401.

For information, call BVC at 947-3391 and ask to speak with office manager Sharon Moody.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.