On the Fourth of July

See the sparks in the sky

When you’re sick of the trying

And you’re tired of the crying

Then the Fourth of July

Is a good day to die

They’ll celebrate each year

Your independence from here

Every year, starting a few days before the Fourth until a few days later, I find myself singing this chorus.

I’m still singing it now nearly a week after Independence Day, like a neighbor who is still shooting fireworks at nightfall, seemingly celebrating the Ninth of July.

It’s the chorus from Pete Droge’s song “Fourth of July.” And every year for the past 30 years, when I sing this song, Don Simmons’ voice comes to mind.

Don sung the song with Digit 60, a band founded by him, Tim Teasley and Kim Johnson Teasley back in the 1990s.

The song and the Fourth are more poignant since Don passed a few years ago.

Don would probably give a scoffing chuckle at being linked to the Fourth outside of that song. He never seemed one for overt shows of rah-rah patriotism.

To me, Don demonstrated the ideals of our nation, simply by being himself.

He regularly ate lunch at a place where his political views differed from most of the other more politically vocal customers.

If someone pinpointed him in conversation with a view he found wobbly, Don was not one to simply smile, nod his head and move along. No, Don s poke his mind. Depending on the comment, the attitude of the comment or the person who made the comment, Don could be cheeky, blunt, wrathful, matter-of-fact, insightful, spiteful, considerate, dismissive, etc.

If the person persisted too long without letting him speak his mind, Don would edge his way into the conversation with a well-timed and effective “lookie here.”

Even the owner of the establishment would question Don’s political preferences at the cash register. The owner usually said his remarks with a bit of humor. Don stood by his beliefs with a wry smile as he paid for his lunch.

Don may not have liked the owner’s politics but he liked the restaurant’s food. He liked that the restaurant opened for lunch while most places were still serving breakfast. He probably liked being of the minority view in a place full of opposing opinions.

Don liked the debate. The argument. The give and take. Making sure everyone in the room knew not everyone in the community thought the same way. That there is more than one community standard in every community but that doesn’t mean we can’t still break bread together.

He spoke his mind. He stood by what he believed. He ate where he liked the food despite a roomful of opposing opinions. He was fearless in doing what he wanted and in living how he wished.

What’s more American than that?

Like the nation, Don was a great body of contrasts and contradictions. He was generous but stubborn. He smoked cigarettes and enjoyed a daily buffet even when his health told him he should change his ways. He was a stock broker with the views of a hippie.

And he was the voice of Digit 60, who sang “Fourth of July” no matter the time of year.

I think of Don often but more often in the summer, on these days around America’s birthday, when we celebrate our nation’s independence, especially now, when the country seems more frayed and divided.

There’s no celebrating Don’s independence from here. Not for me or his family and friends. No, we miss him and need him. We’d benefit from still having him here and we sure could use some more folks like him.