LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Independence Day celebrations may have wrapped up, but the meaning of freedom continues to carry forward.

What You Need To Know

  • Thousands gathered at Waterfront Park to celebrate the Fourth of July

  • A veteran in attendance explained the importance of the holiday

  • Crowds weren’t deterred by the high heat on Tuesday

  • The Louisville Orchestra also made an appearance

A veteran shared the importance of the holiday while he enjoyed the activities at Waterfront Park in Louisville. He joined thousands of others bearing the heat to enjoy the activities for the Fourth of July.

Doniel McPhail showed his son the sacrifice he made for the United States.

“It lets me let him know that anything he wants to do in America he can do,” McPhail said.

McPhail served in the Army for 26 years.

“That’s why I’ve sacrificed my time in the military, so he’ll have the freedom to do what he wants to do,” McPhail said.

The veteran now enjoys his Independence Days living in Louisville.

“Just fighting for everyone’s freedom overseas and giving everyone the opportunity to do what they want to do—that’s what the Fourth really means to me,” McPhail said.

In his 26 years of service, he completed two tours in Iraq.

“Traveling throughout the world and going to different countries, there’s no place like America,” he said. “The freedom that we have, others in other countries want. And we’re able to provide our kids with that opportunity to be successful and the things that they do here.”

The Louisville Orchestra also made an appearance Tuesday. Waterfront Park has hosted Independence Day celebrations since 1998.

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