"I remember the 1976, Bicenntenial 4th of July as particulary poignant; when mama brought a cake out to the patio for desert, someone (Vera Postovsky? Alex Jadan?) spontaneously started singing "Happy Birthday" and everyone joined in. By the time they got to "Happy Birthday dear America", this group of immigrants, each with their own story, there wasn't a dry eye among any of us (of course, the vodka probably helped)" - my sister Ludmilla
"I think it was Marcel Sedletzky who started the singing. The cake was covered with whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries spelling out "US". He sang, and all joined in, "Happy birthday to us, Happy birthday to us, Happy birthday dear America, Happy birthday to us." Almost everyone there was an immigrant.
I also remember the sunny morning of that Bicentennial 4th of July. Mama and I were up first, washing dishes from the anniversary celebration of the night before (their 27th), inexplicably joyful and singing every corny patriotic song we could think of (including "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from "Oklahoma!"). Drinking instant coffee."
- my sister Nina
All my siblings remember that joyous 4th with other added details! Climbing up on the roof to "spy" on those tipsy Russkies and later watch the fireworks in the bay from up there. Everyone was happy. Even Chewpee the dog got a hot-dog he stole off the grill.