>FWIW, the same can be said of other holidays...the 4th (unless you consider shooting off fireworks to be a big tribute to the great freedom we have in this country), Thanksgiving (is anyone thankful anymore?), and Christmas.

IMO, Thanksgiving is the only holiday that hasn't been overly commercialized. I spend that time to be around my family and remember all the things I'm thankful for.

As for the others, you're right. They've lost their original meaning.