New York Style 4th of July

Collage of Chartered Boat Ride from Freeport New York to see Jones Beach 4th of July Fireworks

I was in Queens, New York this year on the 4th of July holiday weekend and enjoyed a “Joy Day” of activities with the local Sri Chinmoy Centre members to take part in Independence Day festivities – both traditional and nontraditional.

Although born in Bengal and living in India until the age of 32, Sri Chinmoy lived in New York for more than half his life – from 1964 to 2007. He wrote extensively about his appreciation of America, especially about the time of the nation’s birth and the Founding Fathers. See an overview of his writings on America here.

In 1975 Sri Chinmoy published a play about the nation’s birth called The Sacred Fire with a cast of characters including George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Mary Todd Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt. As part of our meditation function on the 4th of July. several people performed a scene from the play.

Scene from The Sacred Fire by Sri Chinmoy

A traditional holiday barbecue came next – vegetarian style – with veggie burgers and dogs and corn on the cob cooked on the grill. Excellent homemade salads, strawberry shortcake and more proved to be an unforgettable feast.

The day’s piece de resistance was yet to come. 100 of us joined together to rent an entire charter boat, the Miss Freeport V, which sailed out of Freeport on the South Shore of Long Island. Our destination was a spot off the coast to watch the Jones Beach Fireworks from the boat. Here is a little taste of the fireworks display with some patriotic music added to it for your viewing pleasure. Happy Birthday America – New York Style!