This year's Independence Day Celebration will be an extra special one for many reasons. Most importantly, it comes on the 400th anniversary of the founding of Bermuda — a once-in-a- lifetime experience.

For those of us fortunate enough to celebrate the 4th here in Bermuda, tomorrow also marks the special friendship that has existed between Bermuda and America for centuries — a partnership that is one of the oldest in the New World. For my family and myself, this will be our fourth year chairing the July 4th celebration here in Bermuda — and our last as United States Consul General. So tomorrow night's celebration will be a little bittersweet for us for sure.

Independence Day marks a summer tradition that Americans and friends of America around the world cherish and look forward to each year. This is not just because it is a day off with family and friends, fireworks and picnics, fun and games. Yes, July 4th is a celebration of all these things, but in the context of something even greater — freedom. Freedom is truly what July Fourth is all about. Freedom is certainly one of the most basic of human rights, one that Americans and Bermudians alike treasure. Personal freedom — when joined with personal responsibility, a free press and the rule of law — is the basis for functioning democracies.

These are the tenets that have guided both Bermuda and America for 400 years — and have given both our lands opportunities and rights that are virtually unsurpassed in our world today. Freedom is to be celebrated always, and July 4th provides us an opportunity to reflect both on the blessings of freedom — and also its responsibilities.

For true freedom comes hand in hand with responsibilities, one of which is giving back to our community. That is why our big July 4th Celebration here in Bermuda is a celebration not only of freedom and democracy but also of charity and philanthropy. These core values complement each other and work to the benefit of all. Both America and Bermuda have wonderful traditions of philanthropy and community service. We hope that tomorrow night's July 4th celebration will continue and hopefully even strengthen this great tradition.

Last year our July 4th Celebration was said to be the largest in the world outside the United States. We had over 7,000 guests — and I hope a wonderful time was had by all. As co-chair of this great event, I know full well that this Celebration simply would not happen without our generous corporate sponsors, our wonderful volunteers and without the tremendous support of my fellow co-chairs, all of whom are (of course) unpaid volunteers themselves. So a huge thank you to the organisations and individuals that make these historic July 4th Celebrations possible.

We trust that the same spirit of partnership and friendship that has united our lands over the past 400 years will be evident in tomorrow evening's celebration (sorry, the event IS sold out already). This spirit has gotten us through some rocky times — and has held our alliance together over four centuries. May it keep us together in friendship and unity for the next 400 years as well.

So no matter where you are tomorrow — or what you are doing — please take a moment to reflect on the 400 years of history that unite our lands... and the spirit of freedom and charity that enriches us all. May God bless you and yours on this July 4th. And may God continue to bless Bermuda, the United Kingdom and the United States of America... and the partnership that has flourished between us for 400 years.

Gregory W. Slayton is the –US Consul General to Bermuda