France still has love for liberators

It’s fitting today, America’s greatest patriotic celebration, to send up eight extra cheers for seven Japanese-American members of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Battalion, as well as one retired Canadian Army colonel who lives in Kaneohe.

On Wednesday, aboard a French war ship here for the Rim of the Pacific military exercises, France bestowed on the World War II vets the Legion of Honor, in recognition of their help in liberating the French from Nazi occupation.

A lot of jokes were made years ago about strains between the U.S. and France. Remember the "Freedom Fries" business, redubbing the American fast-food favorite?

Regardless of all that drama, the bonds were always tight between these American military units and all the French towns they rescued.

As for the rest of us: We’re calling them "French fries" again, right? Vive la France!

Go with the pros for pyrotechnics

And in keeping with this page’s Independence Day theme, here’s the upshot on fireworks on Oahu: Remember, fireworks require a permit, so don’t disobey the law by setting them off without one.

Instead, go out and let the pyrotechnic pros entertain you. Among the big fireworks shows in our skies Friday night:

» Ala Moana Beach Park, 8:30 p.m. (tune in to KSSK for accompanying patriotic soundtrack).

» Kailua Beach Park, 8 p.m.

» Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 9 p.m.

» Schofield Barracks, 8:30 p.m.

» Turtle Bay Resort, 8:30 p.m.