Independence Day — July 4, 2026
July 4, 1776. The Second Continental Congress of the thirteen United States of America makes their Declaration of Independence. The start of the second paragraph is one of the most famous phrases in history:
“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Every July 4, I reflect on the courage of those representatives of the thirteen colonies who mutually pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in declaring their independence. When I reflect on that last sentence of the Declaration of Independence I am truly humbled. They were risking everything to be independent and free states from the most powerful nation at the time.
That courage is what allows me the freedom to pursue my own happiness — 43 years in uniform and now building a business of my own with Buddy at my side. Unlimited success, if I’m willing to work for it. Still humbling every single year.
FIFA World Cup
This year, Independence Day carries an extra layer for those of us who love travel. The FIFA World Cup is underway across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. On the Fourth of July there are visitors from every corner of the globe experiencing an American holiday for the first time — cookouts, small-town parades, and fireworks lighting up stadium parking lots and city skylines from coast to coast. There’s something fitting about international travelers getting a firsthand taste of what we’re celebrating, even if they came here for the football.
What I’ve loved most is watching their reaction once they got here. So many of these visitors have said the same thing: back home, the local news and outlets had told them America was terrible, unfriendly, unsafe. Then they landed, and it was the exact opposite. A beautiful country with more to do than you could fit into one trip. People who are genuinely kind. Football stadiums the size of small cities. Food that blew them away. And the stores — Walmart, Costco, Cabela’s, Texas brisket joints, and of course Buc-ee’s — left them completely stunned. They kept commenting on how much patriotism they saw everywhere, and how great it was to actually see it in person.
Their media lied to them, plain and simple. I love watching all these social media posts showing what this country is really like. It makes me so proud of my country, and honestly, those visitors do more for American tourism by accident than any professional ad campaign ever could. 🏴 The Scottish fans drinking Boston dry. 🇳🇴 The Norwegian fans rowing through the streets. 🇧🇷 The Brazilian fans throwing block parties everywhere they go. It is fabulous to watch.
Celebrate
For the rest of us, I hope everyone gets to go out and celebrate our independence and freedom with family and friends — picnics, barbecues, the beach, and fireworks. And of course, the famous Nathan’s hot dog eating contest at Coney Island, New York. Who will be the champion this year?
My wife, daughter and I will be celebrating by setting fireworks off in our driveway, with an aerial show at the end. Our neighborhood and area really get into it.
We’re halfway through 2026. Time to focus on travel for the back half of the year, and keep improving as we go. Happy Independence Day.
Jordan and Buddy