By Phil Orenstein
As America celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, my wife Alma and I joined approximately 150,000 patriots on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the historic Freedom 250 Salute to America celebration. What follows is my personal account of a day that renewed my faith in the American people and reminded me that the Spirit of 1776 is still very much alive.
Photo Credit Note: All photographs are by the author unless otherwise noted.
On July 4, 2026, my wife, Alma, and I had the privilege of taking part in the historic celebration of America’s 250th birthday at the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
“We are in heaven.”
Those were the words that best captured the overwhelming feeling that came over us as we approached the brilliantly illuminated Salute to America stage that evening. Walking through a light rain alongside tens of thousands of patriotic Americans, with dazzling lights beaming across the sky, felt almost surreal. The moment reminded me of the biblical Exodus—the Israelites leaving bondage, crossing the Red Sea, and finally entering the Promised Land.
That evening was America’s celebration of its own Promised Land, born on July 4, 1776.
Our spirits soared as the fires of liberty were rekindled within us. Everywhere we looked were families and patriots from every corner of America, many dressed in red, white, and blue, wearing MAGA hats, America 250 hats, and cowboy hats. They endured record heat, humidity, and threatening thunderstorms with smiles on their faces, united in celebrating the greatest experiment in self-government ever conceived.
To our knowledge, there was not a single protester or detractor present. Instead, there were approximately 150,000 Americans filled with optimism, gratitude, kindness, and love of country. The atmosphere was unlike anything I have ever experienced. This is the story the cynical news media will never tell.
Preparing for America’s Birthday
The day before, July 3, the third day of our ten-day vacation, we traveled from our hotel in Springfield, Virginia, to the National Mall to familiarize ourselves with the Metro and visit the Great American State Fair.
The sixteen-day exposition, running from June 25 through July 10, featured exhibits representing all fifty states and six U.S. territories. The pavilions celebrated America’s history, culture, innovation, and folklore, while carnival rides, live music, western rodeos, and regional food gave the grounds the atmosphere of a classic American fair.
On the Metro, one passenger who worked near the National Mall told us he had personally witnessed left-wing protesters dumping trash and attempting to damage the Reflecting Pool during earlier demonstrations. “Don’t believe everything you hear in the media,” he said.
The July heat was intense. Temperatures approached 100 degrees with unhealthy air quality, so we spent much of our time inside the air-conditioned pavilions.
After passing through TSA security, where I discovered even my pens were prohibited, we visited the American Innovation Pavilion. It featured remarkable displays of American ingenuity, including SpaceX, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other cutting-edge technologies. At the SAP exhibit, an AI camera created a “Team America” commemorative photo of Alma and me.
One of the highlights was the PragerU stage, where speakers celebrated America’s founding and explained why the 250th anniversary matters. Particularly moving were naturalized citizens from Venezuela, Cuba, and other formerly communist countries who spoke passionately about what America meant to them. Having experienced tyranny firsthand, they reminded us that our God-given rights, representative government, and individual liberty should never be taken for granted. They challenged every citizen to pass these principles on to the next generation.
Before returning to our hotel, we learned from event personnel that the Salute to America celebration was entirely separate from the State Fair. Officials anticipated hundreds of thousands of attendees, with overflow crowds directed to the fairgrounds where giant video screens would broadcast the festivities.
Because of the dangerous heat wave, organizers delayed opening the security checkpoints until 5:00 p.m. on July 4 and urged attendees not to arrive before 4:00.
Naturally, thousands ignored that advice.
Waiting with Thousands of Patriots
On July 4th, after an early lunch, we boarded the Metro and arrived at approximately 3:00 p.m. Massive crowds were already streaming toward the Washington Monument. Roads were closed, and security was extraordinary. The National Guard, Secret Service, Capitol Police, DEA agents, bomb-sniffing dogs, and endless rows of portable restrooms greeted us.
When we reached the entrance, volunteers directed us to what seemed like the end of an endless line. One couple told us they had arrived at 8:00 that morning. We walked nearly a mile before finally reaching the back of the line.
For the next three hours we hardly moved. Thousands more kept arriving, asking, “Where’s the end of the line?” Many eventually chose the much shorter lines for the State Fair instead. Fortunately, we had come prepared with sunscreen, umbrellas, water, and plenty of determination.
What made the wait memorable, however, was the people and the continuous flyovers by stealth bombers, the Blue Angels, the Air Force Thunderbirds, and other military aircraft that brought thunderous cheers of “USA! USA! USA!” from the crowd.
Standing behind us was a wonderful family from Utah. We laughed together throughout the afternoon. Their daughter had received a promotional hand fan from the GE Aerospace pavilion and jokingly offered to fan her father for thirty dollars an hour. I countered with forty dollars.
When they learned we were from New York City, they simply shook their heads and asked how America’s greatest city could elect a communist mayor.
Nearby, Cuban immigrants shared heartbreaking stories of life under communism and expressed disbelief that so many Americans seemed willing to embrace ideas they had risked everything to escape.
Conversations like these reminded us that we were surrounded by ordinary Americans who loved their country, cherished faith and family, and understood that freedom cannot survive without active citizens. We explained that in New York City, many elections are often decided not by overwhelming majorities but because too many decent citizens simply stay home. Preserving liberty requires participation, and voting remains one of the most powerful ways Americans protect constitutional self-government. The American Revolution did not end in 1783. Its ideals still require each generation to defend them.
Finally, shortly after 6:00 p.m., the line began moving. Dark clouds gathered overhead as severe thunderstorms approached. We made our way through the giant Salute to America arch and eventually reached one of more than sixty TSA security screening lanes.
A Storm Delays—but Doesn’t Dampen—the Celebration
Only two people stood ahead of us when everything suddenly stopped. TSA officers ordered an immediate evacuation. For a moment we feared there had been a terrorist threat. Instead, lightning and the approaching thunderstorm forced organizers to clear the grounds.
Thousands of people calmly walked to nearby government buildings to shelter in place. We found refuge inside the nearby National Museum of African American History and Culture.
What impressed me most was the conduct of the crowd. There was no panic. No pushing. No anger. People were courteous, cheerful, and even broke into chants of “USA!”
Then, to our surprise, we spotted friends from the Queens Village Republican Club—Aura, Taisha, Liz, and others. We greeted one another with hugs and laughter and even chanted Aura’s famous “Alivio!” cheer inside the museum lobby.
Nearly three hours later, around 10:00 p.m., TSA officers began returning to their posts. The crowd erupted into chants of “TSA! TSA! TSA!” to thank them for their professionalism.
We followed them back to the security screening lines. This time they even allowed me to keep my pens and our umbrellas, since it was still lightly raining.
As we walked around the Washington Monument, now transformed into a magnificent, illuminated monument displaying “FREEDOM,” the Stars and Stripes, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we rounded the western side of the grounds.
The Washington Monument was illuminated throughout the evening with patriotic images celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
“We Are in Heaven”
Then we saw it.
A brilliant white light pulsed from the enormous Salute to America stage. Thousands of chairs stretched before it. Patriotic music echoed across the National Mall. I reached for my phone, snapped a few photographs, and texted fellow members of our club just four words.
“We are in heaven.”
The concert had already begun, featuring nearly 300 musicians from America’s military bands and orchestras performing patriotic classics selected by President Trump.
The rain ended. The excitement became almost indescribable. Christopher Macchio, “America’s Tenor,” delivered a stirring rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, followed by Lee Greenwood bringing the audience to its feet with God Bless the U.S.A.
At 11:00 p.m., Greenwood proclaimed: “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the 45th and 47th President of the United States, President Donald J. Trump.”
The Spirit of 1776 Lives
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump entered to an overwhelming ovation and cheers from the enormous crowd. The President spoke about the meaning of America’s 250th birthday and declared:
“For two and a half centuries, our American Republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history. This country is the home of freedom. This is the land of liberty…”
He reflected on America’s founding, its extraordinary achievements, and those who sacrificed to preserve our freedoms. Among the evening’s most moving moments was the recognition of veterans from what Tom Brokaw famously called “The Greatest Generation.”
Captain Ken Schubring survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, witnessing ships such as the USS Arizona being sunk before his eyes. He served from the opening day of America’s war in the Pacific until its victorious conclusion, flying B-29 missions against Japan all the way to the enemy’s unconditional surrender. At 104 years old today, Captain Schubring proudly saluted the very American flag recovered from the USS Arizona, boldly displayed on stage.
The audience responded with thunderous applause.
President Trump then honored Navy Lieutenant Arthur Rose, who commanded thirty-six landing craft during the D-Day invasion of Normandy as part of the largest naval armada in history. Now 107 years old, Lieutenant Rose stood proudly to salute the flag that flew aboard the first American landing craft to reach the beaches of Normandy, helping begin the liberation of Europe from Nazi tyranny.
The President also recognized veterans of the war on communism, including Marine Corporal Pat Finn and Private First Class Rudy Meekins, heroes of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, in the Korean War. Repeatedly, President Trump declared:
“America will never be a communist country.”
Near the close of his remarks, he reminded us that the Spirit of 1776 is not confined to history.
“…After 250 years, the Spirit of 1776 still lives within us all. It still burns in the heart of every patriot… and lights the entire world with the glow of American liberty.”
Those words perfectly captured what we had experienced throughout the day. The celebration concluded with the military bands performing “YMCA,” followed by one of the most spectacular fireworks displays ever presented over our nation’s capital.
When it ended, strangers embraced one another and wished each other safe travels home. We boarded an overflowing Metro train and finally returned to our hotel shortly before five o’clock in the morning, physically exhausted but spiritually renewed.
The fireworks had faded, but something far more enduring remained.
The Spirit of 1776 was alive.
America has always faced challenges, and every generation has been called upon to preserve the blessings of liberty entrusted to it. Ours is no different. The celebration may have ended, but the work of citizenship continues. If the fires of liberty are to burn for another 250 years, they must first remain alive in our own hearts. May future generations look back on America’s 250th Anniversary and say that our generation kept the fires of liberty burning.
Phil Orenstein is President of the Queens Village Republican Club, America’s oldest continuously active Republican club, founded in 1875.
