The Independence Day anniversary gives us all – Americans, Bermudians, Brits and all peoples here in Bermuda – the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of freedom and consider ways in which to use it to better our community. As Albert Camus so aptly put it: "Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better."

Doing better for others while celebrating freedom continues to be the impetus behind our July 4 Celebration. Last weekend, for the third consecutive year, the United States Consulate and the American Society co-hosted an unparalleled Independence Day Celebration.

With almost 7,000 guests, we believe that, once again, it will prove to be the largest July 4 Celebration in the world outside the United States this year. This is a pretty amazing accomplishment for little Bermuda – and my warmest thanks once again to all those who helped make it happen, from our incredibly generous corporate sponsors to our 37 volunteer chairmen and women and co-chairs to our 600 or so charity volunteers. Without your help the Celebration would not have been as great as it was.

Once again, the Celebration was all about Celebrating Freedom and Giving Back to Bermuda. These two ideals were fundamental in planning an event that would allow Americans and Bermudians alike to rejoice in our many freedoms but at the same time to use those freedoms to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

With that two-fold aim in mind, charities and sponsors stepped up to the plate in record numbers. In fact, our charity volunteers – almost 600 of them – were the backbone of the event.

They are due a sustained round of applause. Why did they participate? They did it to give back to the community and to raise the profile of their 60 different non-profit organisations among our 7,000 or so guests.

In return, we were able to donate over $100,000 in cash and in-kind donations to these service organisations. We are indebted to those hard-working volunteers who made it all happen and who on a daily basis make life a little easier for those less fortunate here in Bermuda.

Likewise corporate Bermuda's financial support was crucial. I especially want to recognise our Premium Sponsors (Ace, Bacardi, the Bermuda Department of Tourism and Transport, Ren Re and XL) and our Gold Sponsors (AIG, Arch Capital, Butterfield Bank, Endurance, Fidelity, Flagstone Re, Montpelier Re and Platinum).

They and all 50+ sponsors deserve a huge "thank you". They didn't have to give; and, with the amount corporate Bermuda already gives to charities, they certainly did not have to give so generously. But they did. Their commitment to Bermuda and to ever stronger US/Bermuda relations is deeply appreciated.

Organising an event of this magnitude required literally thousands of hours of volunteer effort by the 37 chairmen and women and vice-chairmen and women of the Celebration Planning Committee. To them I say a heartfelt "thank you".

I want to especially recognise my Co-Chairman for this year's Celebration, Brad Woodings, President of the American Society of Bermuda. His portfolio was logistics and he did an extraordinary job in putting it altogether. It has been a real pleasure and an honour to work beside him and the entire Planning Committee.

Our Honorary Chairpersons also contributed to the overall success of the Celebration – the Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown, JP, MP and Opposition Leader the Honourable Kim Swan, JP, MP as well as the Honourable US Congresswoman Diane Watson and the Honourable US Congressman GK Butterfield. All four of these leaders gave their unstinting support to the Celebration – and in doing so helped make it a true success. Their good will and strong collaboration symbolise the mutual cooperation and close friendship that unite our lands.

Finally, in another example of cooperation, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport and the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing are to be commended for the important roles they played in transporting and safeguarding our guests. Dedicated fast ferries and express buses enabled our 7,000 guests to travel easily and safely, minimising the disruption of traffic. And police provided security to guests and volunteers alike. They deserve a big "Thank you" for the crucial role they played in this successful partnership.

Yes, we look forward to Independence Day as a holiday to be celebrated with family and friends while enjoying good food, entertainment, games and spectacular fireworks.

Independence Day is a tradition in the US, and its celebration has now become a tradition in Bermuda. Let us use this time to pause and reflect on what it means to be free and how we might use our freedom to bless and benefit others.

For as the Good Book teaches: "to whom much is given much is expected." Freedom is indeed a gift that our forefathers have passed down the generations to us. What we do with it is our gift to the generations to come. Happy July 4th to you and yours!

The Honourable Gregory W. Slayton is the United States Consul General to Bermuda