Baldwin County celebrates Independence Day

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - People and umbrellas decorated Gulf Shores beach on Independence day spending time with their friends and family.

“Everyday we get up and go to work or choose to come to the beach. We're celebrating the freedom in this country that's been bought by the people who have fought for us so we can have choices,” said Rebecca McElhenney.

Susan Hall said “life can be tough but you do have a lot of choices and even though our government has some regulations, we still have lots of choices and it's the best place to be. ”

Kicking off the day the beach was filled with people enjoying the holiday but scattered showers scared some inside.

Other brave soldiers like Jessie Holder waited out the rain.

Holder spent six years with the Meridian Air National Guard. This is his first independence day back in the states.

“It's good to be back home and celebrate the one day everybody has in common, the 4th of July,” Holder said.

He came to the beach with a group of friends and planted an American Flag in the sand next to their towels.

“Where I was (in the Middle East) it was really cold and I was used to it being hot.  I missed a lot of holidays like Christmas and definitely the 4 ^th because over there, we celebrate it just like we would here. Probably a lot more,” Holder said.

He isn’t the only one thankful to be spending time with those he cares for.

Most with whom we spoke said July 4 ^th means freedom and family.