While we look forward to celebrating the birth of America next month, why not reflect on what makes America great? Or even, in these perilous times, what makes Pensacola great?  

As Pensacolians, we take a special pride in our city. Founded in 1559 by the Spanish, we are rightly known as America’s first settlement. Don Tristan de Luna arrived with 11 ships and settled on our pristine white beaches. Do you think that when Don Tristan de Luna landed on our shores he would have ever imagined that we could be facing such an environmental disaster like the one we are facing today? Probably not, but I’m sure he would have envisioned Pensacolians coming together as one to remain resourceful, courageous people working together through this situation.

For over 451 years, the people of Pensacola have survived hurricanes, wars and floods under the flags of five governments. There is one common link throughout each of the hardships we have faced: Pensacolians remain resilient. As we face another difficult time with the oil spill crisis, let’s reflect on where we’ve been as a people, our ancestry, our heritage and our resilience. Like all Pensacolians, right now we don’t know exactly what the outcome of this oil spill will be. We hold true to the belief that our forefathers had: that together, as a community, we can, with enough hard work and determination, eventually make it through this.

Let’s be thankful for an opportunity ahead of us, which is to show our nation what a strong city Pensacola is by coming together to help save our coastal environment.  As we anticipate the effort required for recovery, let’s be thankful for our history and a few of the things that make Pensacola unique:

• Only in Pensacola can you watch a Blue Angels air show twice a week, and, on Wednesdays, even meet the pilots in person.

• Only in Pensacola can you visit the site of the first Catholic mass in the United States at the cross on Pensacola Beach.

• Only in Pensacola can you claim a barrier island 52 miles long with sand made of 99% pure white quartz.

• Only in Pensacola can you walk along the only natural bluffs in Florida at Bay Bluffs Park.

• Only in Pensacola can you attend over 30 local festivals full of wonderful artwork, tasty food and culture in the shade of 300-year-old live oaks.

 As we celebrate our thanks on the Fourth of July, we do so with fireworks, food and festivities. Join the Pensacola Fish House for the best seat in the house that night. For the third year in a row, we will be offering our Fourth of July private waterfront dinner. For more information click here.