Harkening back to the bravery of the country's founding fathers, former Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Robert Flanders urged the Bristol Fourth of July crowd to pay homage to those who have sacrificed and not be turned off by the negativity of political rhetoric.

"July 4, 1776 was indeed a momentous occasion. The men who signed that document were sensible of the fact that they were probably signing their own death warrants if their treasonous acts against Great Britain were not rewarded with an unlikely victory on the battlefield," Flanders said, remarking on the "long shot" establishing the United States was "with ragtag bands of disorganized miltia against the strongest military might on the planet. We realize how lucky we are to be standing here today."

Justice Flanders was delivering the annual Patriotic Address during Patriotic Exercises outside the Colt School on Hope Street Monday morning before the Fourth of July Parade. He urged residents to be thankful, and honored the courage and sheer force of will the Founding Fathers employed in creating a society of freedom, in which residents can speak freely, even if we don’t always want to hear what’s being said.

Indeed, the country has a long history of contentious debate, dating back to its original founding, Justice Flanders said, a fact that is highlighted during a particularly contentious and negative presidential campaign season.

"No matter how turned off we are by the lies we hear as we approach another presidential season ... as loathsome as some behaviors may be, we are lucky to be living in a country that honors and protects free speech in an open market place of ideas competing for acceptance in an often skeptical and doubting world.,” Justice Flanders said. “For this, we should all be grateful and be willing to celebrate the fact that, for 240 years, we have been able to maintain that independence and that freedom to think and say what we believe.”

The Patriotic Exercises ceremony paid tribute to the memory of Bristol Police Officer Richard Jean-Georges, Bristol Fire Department Deputy Chief Frank Sousa and Army Green Beret 1st Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna, all of whom died under tragic circumstances last summer. This year’s parade was dedicated to the memory of the three and all police, fire and service men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

“We can’t help but reflect on how much has happened over the last year — we lost three local heroes, there has been political turmoil and change,” RI General Treasurer Seth Magaziner said. “But we come together more united in our patriotism than ever. I can say to you I am prouder than ever to be a Bristolian.”

The hour-long program also featured an appearance by Capt. Sean R. Bailey, leader of the USS Arlington, which was docked off Bristol’s coast all weekend, Hattie Brown Award winner Stan Dimock, and longest traveled award recipient U.S. Marine Corps Col. Corey Burke, who traveled more than 8,000 miles from Japan to attend this year’s celebration. Col. Burke received a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol, and a plaque honoring the memory of Sgt. McKenna.