8 veteran ‘AF’ ways to celebrate Independence Day

Citizens of the United States of America tend go mildly wild when they celebrate the fourth of July. It was on that day, in 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Deceleration of Independence, severing our nation from the British Empire. Most people commemorate this fateful moment with a nice, wholesome family gathering. Dads work the barbecue while telling awful puns and moms try to make sure the kids don't hurt each other with sparklers. The evening's merriment is capped off by watching the fireworks explode over the nearby lake.

Now, we're not here to tell you that you're doing things wrong — if you're into that mundane, picturesque lifestyle, more power to you — but we are here to tell you that veterans like to go big. Real big. Independence Day is what binds the veteran community. We may argue and bicker over little things, but each and every one of us loves this country and its people. In demonstrating that love, we tend to go a little overboard when partying on what is, essentially, America's birthday.

Veterans and firearms go together like alcohol and bad decisions. When veterans get a free day off work, they might visit the firing range. When they get a day off for the 4th, they'll be there for sure — you know, for America.

In this case, "firing range" is a pretty vague term. It could mean a closed-off, handgun-only range, a range out in the middle of nowhere that allows you to legally fire off a fully automatic, or, if you happen to be in the middle of bumf*ck nowhere, your backyard. Regardless of how we do it, it's our little way of supporting the Constitution — through celebrating the 2nd Amendment.

Every year, on the fourth of July, military installations hold a ceremony at noon where they fire off one gun for every state in the Union. Some of the veterans who once participated in those ceremonies come back many years down the road to see it again.

Burgers sizzling on the grill is the unofficial smell of the holiday. You can't go anywhere in America without sniffing out some hot dogs, steaks, and whatever else the veteran is cooking.

The only downside is that veterans tend to go a little overboard on what they think is the "right amount of food" for everyone. Veterans prepare for the event that everyone's going to eat a dozen burgers. Deep down, we know that's not going to happen, but what if...

Sobriety is entirely optional on Independence Day. From the moment they wake up until they eventually pass out from taking too many shots in the hot summer sun, veterans spend the entire day drinking .

Of course, they should always err on the side of responsibility and remember all of the safety briefs they got when they were in. They've got the basics down, like "don't drink and drive," but they might forget some of the niche briefs, like "don't get drunk and decide to shoot bottle rockets out of a metal pipe like a friggin' rocket launcher" — so that's probably still game.

It's America's birthday, so dress for the occasion. American flag hats, tank tops, underwear, you name it. Today, everything is red, white, and blue.

Technically, such articles of clothing are discouraged by the Flag Code, but it's an expression of patriotism — and the First Amendment allows you to express yourself like that.

As much as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Iron Maiden all kick ass, let's reserve this day for America and American rock stars, baby!

Any party celebrating American independence should have a playlist featuring plenty of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Aerosmith.

Veterans refuse to be outdone by the neighbors down the road who think their puny little display of patriotism is the best way to celebrate America. If that veteran also happens to be an old-school artilleryman or mortarman, you're about to see something special...

Every year on social media, we see photos of signs placed in front of veterans' homes politely asking neighbors to not set off fireworks get picked apart by the veteran community. You know what? A veteran choosing to spend America's birthday exactly how they want to is veteran as f*ck, too.

Can't stand large crowds of people and the traffic? Stay in. That's veteran as f*ck.

Don't want to be in a public place when loud explosions go off? You don't have to be.

This is a day to celebrate America's freedom. If you've raised your hand, there's no way anyone can take your veteran status from you. Independence Day is about celebrating freedom. You celebrate it however you feel necessary.