ASHLAND - Members of the Kodack family watched Thunder Over Ashland at Memorial Field in the borough Thursday without a member of their family who joined the military.
While Michael Kodack, 6, of Ashland, had his hands covering his ears to reduce the noise the fireworks made, his mother, Trish Kodack, and sister, Katie Kodack, 10, stood nearby.
This is the first year Anthony, 19, was not with them, as he joined the Airforce in February.
"Considering the weather we had, it's wonderful the show is still on," Trish Kodack, 35, of Ashland, said.
It had rained before the fireworks.
Today is July 4, the day our nation celebrates its independence.
Kodack said the family is missing Anthony.
"The Fourth of July is 'freedom' and it's a good time to express how much we love our country," she said.
She talks to Anthony every day. Other people also shared similar sentiments about what the holiday means to them.
Most said it is a day to celebrate the country and to spend time with family and friends.
While waiting for the fireworks to start, those at the field enjoyed time with family and friends, ate food from the concession stand run by the American Hose Company No. 1 Ladies Auxillary and other areas where food was sold. JB Sound, Lavelle, provided music.
The lights got dark on the field at 9:56 p.m. The national anthem was sung at 9:58 p.m. by Maura Gownley before the fireworks started.
This is the 19th year for the annual fireworks display sponsored by American Hose Company No. 1, Ashland.
Bixler Pyrotechnics, Ashland, orchestrated the fireworks display. About 2,500 shells went off, owner Mike Bixler said.
Philip C. Groody, co-chair of the event said the fireworks have always been held at the stadium. Last year, about 10,000 people attended.
"You couldn't even move here last year," he said.
He estimated the attendance was less because of the rain. Raina Stephenson, 12, of Reading, said today was a day to spend time with family and friends.
Shannon McSurdy, 11, of Middletown, Delaware, said July 4 was a day to "Come together to celebrate America's independence with epic fireworks."
Her mother, Dawn McSurdy, also from Delaware, is originally from Schuylkill Haven and her husband, Tom, is from Mount Carmel.
The Fourth of July is a day of "Celebrating the birth of our country and remembering all the veterans," she said.