District residents and tourists had lots of different plans for July Fourth

People wait for the bus outside the Tenleytown Metro. Photo credit by Eli Siegman.
People wait for the bus outside the Tenleytown Metro. Photo credit by Eli Siegman.

Residents of and tourists to Northwest Washington, D.C. had different plans for Independence Day but everyone was excited to celebrate the nation’s 240th birthday.

Some viewed it as a day off, while others saw it as an opportunity to make a difference.

Beth Morgan, 53, thinks July 4 is a very important holiday for Americans. She was planning on spending it at home in New Jersey with her family.

“I think a majority of people view it as a day not to go to work,” Morgan said.

Morgan not only believed that it was an important holiday but it was also a fun one. When asked if it was her favorite holiday, she said it was “in her top three.”

Terry Baugh, 55, waited at a Tenleytown bus stop, and when asked about July Fourth her face immediately lit up.

“It’s more exciting here, fabulous neighborhoods,” Baugh said.

Baugh planned to help with a fundraiser for an organization called “KidSave,” which helps pre-teen orphans and those in foster care find mentors or even permanent homes. Baugh said that on the Fourth of July KidSave hosted an event at Arlington National Cemetery that viewed fireworks while it helped raise money for KidSave.

When asked if people in Washington celebrate it differently because they were in the nation’s Capital Baugh said, “People in Washington care a lot about this country.”