On Wednesday evening, hundreds came in droves to watch the city’s firework show and enjoy a celebration of “Youth: America’s Heritage and Hope.”

It may have seemed odd at first for the city to choose a theme like youth in order to celebrate  Independence Day, but somehow it worked.

Several officials noted during the service the importance of youth in our nation, as they are our future and hope. This theme really hit home when veterans and those in active  duty were asked to come forward at the celebration.

Then the officials asked for the students in the ROTC program to come forward as well. This was a great lesson for all of the youth who were in the crowd. It showed them how we as a nation uphold and honor servicemen and women and it also showed them how some of their peers were honored for serving.

It was a great night for celebration and it came at no cost to anyone who attended. The fact that the city and other organizations spent money and asked for nothing in return showed the youth of Selma that the priority and importance of celebrating our great nation as one unified people without violence.

And so the city showed by example to the youth of Selma what it truly means to lead — it means to give. Leadership can include times when you have to foot an expensive bill because it is a gift, and the city did just that by putting on a firework show free to anyone in the city who wanted to attend. Youth will hopefully understand how big of a deal Independence Day is after the city worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make the celebration worthwhile.