“It is a great day, a good day,” said John Adams on his deathbed.

How best to celebrate this great day, other than resting and being with family and friends?

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Here are five possibilities:

1.) Fly the flag.

Respect it and honor it and take a moment to look at it when you put it up.

Think about Iwo Jima and the flag on the moon and the war memorials in Washington, and the words “liberty and justice for all.”

2.) Reread the Declaration of Independence

It’s short.

It’s good reading and great writing.

It is our national creed — the creed of a nation “with the soul of a church,” in G.K. Chesterton’s words.

3.) Thank a veteran.

Maybe that person is a family member or someone you know.

Maybe you need to go on line and make a small donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or RISE or Veterans Matter.

But Vets like to hear simple thank yous.

4.) Watch some fireworks — not on TV but in real time and in a real place, if you can manage it physically. It is a day to celebrate.

5.) Listen to the viewpoint of someone whose political opinions are counter to yours.

Consider that this person might be intelligent and patriotic, just as you are and might have a piece of the truth just as you do.

Happy July 4.

First Published July 4, 2016, 4:00 a.m.