The 4th of July is a holiday commemorating the birth of our nation and to express our pride in being American. We sing songs like the national anthem, "God Bless America" and the ever-popular "America the Beautiful."

However, looking at Boulevard Park, where the city holds its fireworks display, on the 5th of July, one would think that we citizens of Bellingham have no pride in our nation and don't care about the environment.

Our fellow citizens left their picnic trash, beer cans -- empty and lots of them, Woods Coffee beverage containers and just a bunch of junk.

Is this anyway to show pride in our country, our city or the environment? We in Bellingham think of ourselves as members of a caring community and responsible stewards of the natural environment. However, one look at how we treat one of most valuable and beautiful public spaces you would think otherwise.

Bob Lau

Bellingham