Beyond all the fireworks and patriotic colors on display, Americans with an appreciation for history were celebrating July 4th with portraits of this country’s Founding Fathers in their mind.
Now, 240 years after the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. faces challenges that require no less than the courage and wisdom that gave birth to a nation.
These days, threats to our security are coming in waves, from around the world and here at home.
“We in America are so blessed , we're blessed beyond measure,” said Dwayne Sheppard, pastor of the New Greater Apostolic Church, as he barbecued at a tent party along the eastern shore of Mission Bay. “And we have not yet experienced things other countries have experienced. So now it's coming on our turf. But it was prophesied that it would happen."
Given the bitterness of this year’s election cycle, there are questions as to whether America's spirits can be lifted before they're too polarized.
"I really hope so, but I think with the whole Presidency and everything that's going on, it's going to be kind of tough,” said Cynthia Lemos, visiting San Diego’s Embarcadero on a day trip from Valencia. “People aren't going to be happy."
"It's very scary,” confessed Rhonda Dodson, in town for the holiday from Tina, Missouri. “I have little grandkids ,and it scares me more for them because they're so much younger than my younger daughter. I don't know where we're headed."
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Jennifer Caraway, accompanied by her daughter from Phoenix said: “I think the most concerning part is just us as Americans, trying to stay together and stand up for one another, and just bond together as one country in support of each other instead of tearing each other down."
But for all there is to worry about, NBC 7 found an overriding holiday spirit of good cheer among the visitors and locals interviewed around town on Monday.
Some folks said they make a point of focusing on optimism -- compartmentalizing" pessimistic thoughts about ISIS, the troubled global economy, unemployment and environmental issues.
“You can never tell what can happen,” said Wally Adeola in a conversation framed by the U.S.S. Midway Museum. “It comes in our mind, we think about it. But we can't live by fear.”
His daughter, Kara added: You just have to stay positive, count your blessings. And if you're religious, you know, pray."
Ife Felano, a Nigerian-born woman who now lives in El Cajon offered the perspective that the U.S. is still admired and envied far and wide.
"America reaches out to every other nation, every other country,” Felano noted. “So if America is not strong, that's going to affect every other country. That's what I fear and I feel. So we want to have America be strong at all times."
As more than one history buff pointed out, the U.S. has survived not just by military might -- but resourcefulness and resilience, protected by a Constitution that's been amended many times and is still seen as our abiding principles.
“The Declaration of Independence has made my spirit strong and protected me, along with the Constitution and Bill of Rights,” said downtown resident Brent Truitt. “And state majorities being in compliance with that as well."
