As I write this, I’m anticipating June 14 in a big way.

Not because June 14 is Flag Day, although that was always a big deal in my house growing up (more on this later). No, I’m looking forward to June 14 this year because I’ll be meeting my newest grandson, Dakota, for the first time.

Dakota will be the fourth son born to my daughter Kayliegh and my son-in-law Jason. My husband Fleck jokes that with four sons, Kayliegh could populate her own “Yellowstone” spin-off—which might not be a bad idea. She does have chickens and goats, after all…

June 14 is certainly a fitting time for Dakota to arrive. As I mentioned above, it’s Flag Day. My dad—Jack Simons—was a decorated Korean War veteran who was wounded in action. He was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge and a Purple Heart. He later started the Clarence Hoyt VFW Post No. 9217 in Liberty, NY, and served as VFW State Commander as well.

On Flag Day, we always made sure that we flew Old Glory correctly. That meant that it didn’t touch the ground. We also knew not to fly it upside down unless there was an emergency. We also refrained from carrying it flat, or folding things inside of it. We always stored it where it wouldn’t get dirty. And we knew better than to wear it as clothing.

So, as you can imagine, this time of year was a very busy one for us growing up, what with Memorial Day, Flag Day on the 14th, and July 4 waiting in the wings. My mom and dad seemingly lived at the VFW, which meant that I was there a lot, too, waiting tables and cleaning up.

The cool part of it was the generosity the VFW extended. If you attended the ceremony on any given Memorial Day, Flag Day, or July 4, you were welcome to partake of the food and soft drinks served at the VFW later on for free. I can tell you that I learned a great deal about what hospitality means through my experiences working these events. And I met a lot of great people who remain lifelong friends. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.

Of course, when we weren’t at the VFW, we were at the Liberty Volunteer Firehouse (Ontario Hose Co. #3). My dad and my mom Carol were big into that scene, too. Plus, my dad made us join the Little Bighorn Marching Band, which meant Yours Truly marching in parades, schlepping my beloved glockenspiel. (Please feel free to read “beloved glockenspiel” with more than a grain of sarcasm.)

Dad’s been gone since 2006, so he never got to meet his great-grandsons. I know he would have loved them. And I know he would have loved my fabulous dog, Ozzy, as well. My mom certainly does.

So by the time you read this, Flag Day will have passed, Juneteenth will also be a memory, and Dakota will have arrived. But July 4 will be right around the corner.

That’s why this month’s project is this cute teddy bear made out of fondant. I chose to dress him up in patriotic colors in honor of Flag Day, Juneteenth and July 4. But he’s also sporting the red, white and blue in honor of my dad, who loved teddy bears and collected them. He even had one that sang “America, the Beautiful.” It remains at my mom’s house to this day.

I specifically wanted this project to be easy for kids to do. As you’ll see, it’s a pretty simple sculpting job. And, of course, you don’t have to go with the red, white and blue motif if you don’t want to. As always, let your creativity run free and let your teddy bear be, well, your teddy bear.

If you follow the news, you know that—as this July 4 approaches—there is a lot to divide us. But we should never forget to think about and appreciate the things that unite us. The future generations of Americans—Dakota included—deserve no less.

Kim M. Simons is an artist, a food artist and a cake artist. A two-time Food Network Champion, Kim’s work is also featured prominently among the monuments on the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail. Kim has a cookbook made up of gluten-free recipes, “Get All Cook-y With Kim,” available on www.Amazon.com. Kim also teaches painting and baking classes, both individually and in groups. Visit Kim at www.cakesbykimsimons.com.