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OTHO - It didn't quite rain on the annual Independence Day parade Saturday afternoon. It did, however, sprinkle on it a bit, but not enough enough to dampen anybody's spirit of celebration.

While many may think of July 4 as a day for family picnics and gatherings or a night to shoot off illegal fireworks, it can also be a time to reflect on the meaning of freedom - whether it's eroding and how to maintain current liberties.

Joe Hayes, of Otho, was watching the parade after participating in the morning pancake breakfast. He planned on taking in the fireworks display later in the day.

He explained that to him, freedom is about being able to make one's own choices.

He said he doesn't feel his freedom has eroded ... yet.

"My freedom today is comparable to when I was a child," he said. "But I feel it's in jeopardy."

For Hayes, keeping liberties comes down to self-reliance.

"We need to become our own best resource and quit relying on the government to be all things to all people," he said.

Shawn Baker, of Otho, was watching the parade with his son, Alexander, 2. He defined freedom as having the right to the pursuit of happiness.

While he said he does have some concerns about the erosion of freedom, he explained that it hasn't impacted his own life.

For the future of liberty, he wants the government to adhere to the Constitution.

"We need to make sure the Fourth Amendment is protected," he said.

Baker said he is particularly concerned about warrant-free wiretaps, something he believes the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches should prevent.

Alicia Stenzel, of Fort Dodge, has been coming to the parade in Otho for many years. She said she looks forward to the fireworks in the evening, calling them the the best in the area.

For her, freedom is also about being able to make choices. She said she doesn't feel any of her rights have eroded. She credited the military with helping preserve liberty.

"It's because of the men and women who fought for us," she said.

Michael Archer, of Fort Dodge, was watching the parade with Stenzel - both of them enjoying the dry environment under flag-patterned umbrellas.

Archer's definition of freedom mirrored Stenzel's, although he said he feels that freedom is disappearing.

"So many of our rights are being eroded," he said. "We're closer to socialism than we've ever been."

Archer said the size of government has something to do with that.

"The more government we have, the less freedom we have," he said.

To preserve liberty for the future, he said he believes the best solution is to preserve the Constitution, as it was written.

Dan Box, who will gladly tell you that he has proudly lived in Otho since 1973, was helping out with the softball tournament, an event he is happy to have back after a few years absence.

"It's a lot of fun for me," he said.

After he finished several shifts as scorekeeper, he went for a walk around town with his German shepherd, Shacara.

For Box, freedom is about choices and about prosperity, something he sees little of in some parts of the world.

He said some freedoms have been eroded, mostly because people have taken advantage of them.

To help preserve them, he said people should not abuse them.

"You could have a lot less," he said. "A lot of us don't realize how lucky they are."

Following the parade, participants gathering in the city park to enjoy the ongoing softball tournament, food and drink from the various vendors and time with each other.

Many residents were hosting large family gatherings with open garages serving as improvised dining halls. A group of young adults toured the town on horseback.

The echoing window-rattling booms of large fireworks could frequently be heard as someone launched them into the sky - freedom ... and liberty ... and America's birthday, being celebrated.

Contact Hans Madsen at (515) 573-2141 or hmadsen@messengernews.net