Another Fourth of July has come and gone.  Proud Americans came out in droves at both museums, Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  We the crew thank all of you that decided to spend some Fourth of July time at our facilities.

We observe the Fourth as like all Holidays with much respect; after all, many people do not realize that The R.M.S. Titanic was American owned, thusly the American Flag on the bow of our ship.  Funded by an international maritime corporation owned by American financier J.P. Morgan, who fortunately for him, due to business obligations missed the maiden voyage.

The Fourth of July celebrates the Independence from Great Britain…hmmmm, well if you can’t beat’em, join’em, that’s what many of us did, and thank you for the GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Fireworks at Titanic Pigeon Forge's Grand Opening

Fireworks are a great tradition celebrating this Independence Day.  Fireworks at the Titanic Museum in Branson are not feasible due to its location, but I still remember with pride the fantastic display of fireworks at the opening of the Titanic Pigeon Forge on April 8th.  Fourth of July fireworks were not part of the program this year in Pigeon Forge, but I have a feeling there will be more fire in the works after that stunning display on April 8th.

A sad fact is that joyous celebrations like fireworks displays, sporting events, and other events that entail mass gatherings of people, were avoided by many that survived the tragic sinking of R.M.S. Titanic.  A gentleman that survived that horrific night on April 15th in 1912 was quoted as saying that from that point on he no longer could enjoy baseball games in his home town of Detroit, Michigan.  Whenever he heard the ecstatic cries and cheers for home runs and the like it brought back the deafening sound of hundreds of poor souls struggling in the icy waters of the North Atlantic when Titanic went down.

For some survivors of R.M.S. Titanic, fireworks became something to avoid.  The setting off of fireworks was too reminiscent of the multitudes of flairs that were set off from the deck of Titanic.

The Fourth of July should be celebrated with much pride and excitement, after all, think of the immigrants that were on board Titanic that were anxious to arrive in their new, chosen homeland.  So this Fourth we honor those of us that strive to pursue our dreams in a “Chosen Homeland”.

But when we blast off the fireworks, and cheer at the top of our voices, always remember that what is fantastic fun for most of us, for some it can trigger tragic memories.  Be respectful and we at both Titanic Museums wish happiness and above all, safety with future celebrations.

First Class Maid Jaynee

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