To the editor:

We arrived at Logan Airport on July 3 to pick up our eldest son, Michael, who was on leave from Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, N.C., to be home with his family over the holiday weekend.

I was standing in Delta's baggage claim area waiting for him when I turned and saw him approaching with a confident erect stride and well-chiseled frame. I swelled with pride as he gave me a big hug and held on so tight, reminding me of when he would do the same as a youngster.

I am very fortunate this has never changed. Ours is an extremely close family and what was so clear was that no matter the strenuous degree of training or long bouts of being apart, nothing had changed. If anything, we were stronger. He was stronger. We grabbed his bag and went out to the car where his brother, Porter, and Mom were waiting receiving the same assured hugs as if to say all is OK — I am home.

Once home, we hung the Gladsden "Don't tread on me" flag, widely used during the Revolutionary War, an appropriate sight and reminder of our heritage on this holiday weekend.

When Michael first enlisted, Porter purchased the American Service Flag and hung it in his college room. That afternoon he brought it down, unfolded it and put it outside next to the coiled snake and said "what do you think, Dad"? At that moment, as a family we couldn't have been more proud as parents and as Americans, whose roots in Gloucester go back to an recorded family land deed of 1649.

While I was not brought up here, My father brought me on numerous occasions to visit our family plot in Mount Adna. Little did I know that I would return someday with my family to call Rockport home.

The weekend's events and Michael's return home brought a tremendous sense of belonging and pride. Our island community is rich in heritage with a strong sense of camaraderie in helping others, taking pride in our towns, supporting its youth and elderly, observing and practicing the sound fundamentals that formed the character of this great country. Sadly, these are dyeing commodities in today's world, which is why we feel so fortunate to be a part.

Our greatest highlight was the Rockport parade. It took me back to when I was a youngster, when parents, civic groups, leagues, teams, local businesses all pitched in and participated in supporting town spirit and promoting the sense of community. All those that contributed in their own way are to be congratulated. It is you who help the simpler more meaningful times stay alive for all of us to enjoy and take away from.

I might like to offer that serious consideration be given to excluding "any" special organization of particular political beliefs from participation in the future. It's not the venue and detracts from the prime purpose of celebrating the independence and birth of our great nation and community.

Many thanks to Rockport Fireman's Association and all supporting participants for a great Fourth of July parade.

We dropped Michael at the airport early Monday after having had a great Fourth shared with close friends and family at home in Rockport — at long last.

Michael D. Sargent

Rockport