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- Celebrating the Fourth with the Enemy
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- Dick Meister
Ever wondered what the Fourth of July is like on the other side, in that part of Canada that was settled by pro-British "Loyalists" who fled the U.S. after the Revolutionary War? My wife and I found out, in Fredericton, the capitral of New Brunswick. British flags flew everywhere, portraits of Queen Elizabeth were everywhere. Much attention and praise was given crazy King George and others on the Brit side of the Revolution, including Benedict Arnold and other prominent "Loyalists." Even worse were some winged, stinging friends of the "Loyalists" who rudely interrupted our attempts to properly celebrate the Fourth.
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Piece Description
Ever wondered what the Fourth of July is like on the other side, in that part of Canada that was settled by pro-British "Loyalists" who fled the U.S. after the Revolutionary War? My wife and I found out, in Fredericton, the capitral of New Brunswick. British flags flew everywhere, portraits of Queen Elizabeth were everywhere. Much attention and praise was given crazy King George and others on the Brit side of the Revolution, including Benedict Arnold and other prominent "Loyalists." Even worse were some winged, stinging friends of the "Loyalists" who rudely interrupted our attempts to properly celebrate the Fourth.
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Transcript
The Fourth of July, of course, is Independence Day. Hurray for George Washington and the revolutionaries. Down with King George and the British. You know, that sort of thing.
Ah, but have you ever wondered what it?s like on the other side? Have you ever celebrated the Fourth across the border in Canada? In that territory settled by pro-Brit ?Loyalists? who fled the U.S. after the Revolutionary War?
It is a most peculiar experience for one accustomed to the American way of viewing the events of 1776 and all that.
My wife Gerry and I observed the Fourth on the other side once. In Fredericton, the beautiful little capital of New Brunswick, named in honor of King George the Third?s second son, Frederic.
Going into Fredericton meant going into the camp of a former enemy. A friend now, but once an enemy that openly hailed the ?Loyalists? who fought for them against us. I mean peo...
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Timing and Cues
INTRO: Commentator Dick Meister remembers an unusual Fourth of July.
OUTRO: Dick Meister is a San Francisco writer.
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