Rager was the master of ceremonies for Saturday’s Independence Day ceremony at Veterans Park, which took place immediately after the county’s parade in downtown Ebensburg.

Decked out in red, white and blue, more than 150 people gathered at the park to hear remarks from local officials, hear students read their winning America250PA essays, view the county’s commissioned Liberty Torch and Liberty Bell and listen to the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s brass ensemble perform patriotic musical selections.

To Rager, Independence Day is about freedom and celebrating the country’s birthday by recognizing the men and women who swore an oath to defend the United States from its enemies.

“Today, after 250 years, we celebrate freedom and we celebrate a way of life that’s the best way of life in the world,” Rager said.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Maragaret Farabaugh of Ebensburg blows bubbles along North Center Street ahead of Cambria County's Independence Day parade Saturday.

President Commissioner Scott Hunt said it’s important to remember the United States wasn’t founded because everyone agreed politically.

“It was founded because people were willing to listen, debate, compromise where they could, stand firm where they must and ultimately place the good of the country above themselves,” Hunt said, adding that’s the challenge for every generation.

“We honor the founders not simply by remembering what they did but by carrying forward the values they fought to preserve — courage, sacrifice, unity and purpose,” Hunt said.

By celebrating America’s birthday, Commissioner Tom Chernisky said officials are also celebrating the story of Cambria County — one of hard work, sacrifice and hope.

“The men and women of Cambria County helped build America,” Chernisky said, adding the county’s industries of coal and steel built bridges, boroughs, cities and communities.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Cambria County President Commissioner Scott Hunt looks at the county's Liberty Bell, which was on display at Veterans Park for a ceremony Saturday.

Today, Cambria’s outdoor and indoor recreation parks, businesses, schools, the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, public transportation and healthcare institutions are creating a new story and a new economy, Chernisky said, calling for people to honor the nation’s past, embrace its present and look forward to its future.

“It’s an honor to be an American, and we must always remember the words written and spoken by the founding fathers,” Chernisky said.

“We’ll lead a stronger nation and a stronger Cambria County over the next 250 years because today we’ll continue to work hard. We shall continue to tell our children and our grandchildren that all men are created equal to pursue life, liberty and happiness,” he said.

State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Cambria, said the United States has stood the test of time for 250 years and is still the land of opportunity.

“It still rings true today; if you’re willing to take a risk, and if you’re willing to work hard, you can have anything you want in the greatest country this world has ever seen,” Langerholc said.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / The American Legion Cambria County Fair queen waves as she is driven through the county's Independence Day parade Saturday in Ebensburg.

While reading her winning essay, “Generations of Dreams,” Portage Area student Fiona Shi said her grandfather worked hard as a fisherman to ensure his family had a chance at the American dream.

In her essay, Shi explained how the signing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was important to her family’s success as Chinese immigrants. Before the act was signed, America had a national origins quota system that favored northern and western Europeans, she said.

According to Shi, Thomas Jefferson took inspiration from multiple works, including John Locke’s idea of natural rights, when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

One of the rights Locke emphasized was the right to revolt, Shi said.

“The fundamental ideas of having freedom to challenge the government and for change to happen is what the United States stands for,” Shi said.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / A little girl rides her bike in Cambria County's Independence Day parade Saturday in Ebensburg Borough.

Shi’s essay took second place prize in the high school division of the county’s America250PA essay competition.

Among the people in attendance for the ceremony was Jess Lehman of Richland Township, who was there in support of his granddaughter, Kaylee Paronish, who won first place in the middle school division.

For Lehman, Independence Day is about going back to the basics of God, family and country.

“Without God and family, there is no country,” Lehman said, adding freedom isn’t free and the day is also a remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend the nation.

“We’re celebrating our freedom, but it was earned,” he said.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Cambria County Historical Society Vice President Dave Huber sets up an America250PA cake prop Saturday at Veterans Park in Ebensburg Borough.

Ebensburg resident Vicki Bertolino, wearing a red America250PA T-shirt, said she enjoyed celebrating America’s birthday Saturday, as many of her family members served in the nation’s military.

Peter “Buck” Nagy, also of Ebensburg, decorated his electric scooter with a flag honoring America’s birthday. Donning a blue America250 shirt and hat, a black eye patch and a smile, Nagy reminisced about his days in the United States Marine Corps, having served from 1969-72.

“When I was in the service, I was shooting the cannons. I put the elevation on to send the bullet out there to send the target, that’s what I did,” Nagy said, adding the worst place he ever was stationed was in Cuba.

“I thought I was going to die down there,” he said, adding he’s proud to have served the country. “I would do it all over again, if I was younger.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Members of the Forest Hills Marching Rangers participate in Cambria County's Independence Day parade Saturday in Ebensburg.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Ebensburg Borough Community Development Director Danea Koss takes a photo of Cambria County's Liberty Torch, which was on display at Veterans Park for a ceremony Saturday.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Community members participate in the Ebensburg America250 July 4 parade Saturday.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Community members watch as the Ebensburg America250 July 4 parade passes by Saturday.

Mirror photo by Matt Churella / Community members participate in the Ebensburg America250 July 4 parade Saturday.