EREK Ladd might feel like he is the lone ranger on Saturday while he celebrates US Independence Day.
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The US citizen is on a work visa and has been working in Bendigo.
“It’s my first Independence Day away from home, who I’ll be celebrating in my own little way,” he said.
Mr Ladd hails from Central Square, New York, a farming town located six hours from New York City with a population just 1800 people. He said the regional feel of Bendigo suits him.
“I’ve met a lot of friends from Australia and my girlfriend is a Bendigo resident,” Mr Ladd said.
“Bendigo is culturally orientated and a central hub to everywhere you want to go.”
Mr Ladd was at home in the US for last year’s Fourth of July celebrations and said it was spent with friends and family.
“We did a whole lot of barbecue type stuff and set off a few fireworks. It was the stereotypical Hollywood version of Fourth of July is what you get,” he said.
“People go over the top with fireworks but I enjoy the food more than the fireworks.”
Plans to return home are on the horizon for Mr Ladd, making Independence Day more emotional for him.
“I’ll be thinking of home. That’s where my eyes are set because I’ll be there next month,” he said.
“I know Yard Bird are having a hot dog-eating competition so maybe I’ll swing by.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to get hold of any fireworks but I’ll definitely be think of the red, white and blue.”
Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Pride resonates in America on the Fourth of July for US citizens and with Mr Ladd.
“America means home to me. I’ll always love that place and the people I know there,” he said. “It means a lot of freedom for a lot of people. In the 19th century the term ‘manifest destiny’ was prevalent because we wanted to expand our country as best we could and be the best we could be.”
Having spent the last 10 months in Australia, Mr Ladd got a taste of Australia’s patriotism on our national day.
“You guys are more patriotic than you realise. I went to Lake Weeroona are there were so many people supporting their country. The US and Australian celebrations stack up very well,” he said.
