I celebrated the Fourth of July today by going to a barbeque at the U.S. ambassador's residence, Winfield House, in Regents Park.

This has to qualify as The Most Secure Picnic I Have Ever Been To In My Life. We had to go through TWO checkpoints and metal detectors. You had to present your passport at each checkpoint (making this My First Barbeque That Required A U.S. Passport).

The house and its manicured grounds take up 12.5 acres -- a healthy chunk of Regents Park -- but even more of the park was sealed off today, presumably to create a "buffer zone."

Dozens of London police officers were on hand, at least three of them carrying machine guns. There were even two cops in a rubber boat in Regents Canal. I also saw private security guards and at least two members of the U.S. diplomatic protective service.

I felt very safe.

But -- the threat of a terror attack aside -- I had a very pleasant time. I enjoyed a hot dog, a hamburger, two small pieces of steak, baked beans, salad, roast corn on the cob, a cookie and Baskin-Robbins strawberry ice cream.

Burp.

But the day was -- and should be -- about much more than food. It was about reconnecting with one's American-ness. In one special moment, a U.S. Marine color guard marched in with the American flag and the Marine flag.

As they stood with their flags, we heard "God Save the Queen" sung and then we all sang "The Star Spangled Banner." It felt very special to sing that song in London, the capital of the country we declared our independence from.

Later, a choir sang some songs I have not heard in a while: "Oklahoma," "Oh, Susannah", "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Give My Regards to Broadway", to name a few. Wonderful.

We also heard a band that played country music and rock-and-roll, and had a great name: We Have Day Jobs.

The invitation to the picnic specified "smart casual." So, I put on a button-down red-and-white-striped shirt, khakis and a blue blazer. I looked OK.

However, it's interesting what some folks think of as "smart casual." I spotted at least three American flag shirts, some T-shirts, American flag baseball hats and at least one couple in cowboy hats and cowboy boots (yee-ha).

Let's just say that NEXT year, if I go, I'm wearin' the Hawaiian shirt. I want to dress like I'm having FUN.

As the event wound down, I walked home. I strolled along Regents Canal to Primrose Hill Park, then through the park to home -- the reverse of the walk we like to take.

Tonight, at home, I heard fireworks. Which was a nice surprise.