Why We're Celebrating America 250 | Eric Long's Story | Atlantic Fine Furniture
America 250
Why a Furniture Store Is Doing This
A personal message from Eric Long, Owner
OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED PARTICIPANT • AMERICA250.ORG
"My grandfather served in the Army in WWI. My father served in the Army as an aviator in Vietnam. My aunt served in the Coast Guard during WWII. Two uncles were in the Navy in WWII. An uncle was in the Army in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Two uncles were in the Army in Korea. Two more uncles served in the Army. An uncle was in the Air Force. Two of my brothers served in the Air Force. A nephew served in the Air Force in the Middle East. A nephew served in the National Guard in Afghanistan."
"My family is like many families. Lots of service and sacrifice. Our country and our people have been the beneficiaries of amazing sacrifices. As I live and breathe in the freedoms they fought for and served for, I am grateful to each one. Not just today. Every day."
— Eric Long, Owner, Atlantic Fine Furniture & Mattress
People ask me all the time: why is a furniture store putting this much energy into celebrating America's 250th birthday?
The short answer is that this country is personal to me. Not personal in an abstract, bumper-sticker way. Personal in a "my family bled for it" way. Across four generations, my family has served in every major American conflict from World War I through Afghanistan. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard. Every branch. Every era.
I didn't grow up in a family that talked about patriotism — we lived it. Service wasn't something you put on a T-shirt. It was something you did. My father flew helicopters in Vietnam. My aunt served in the Coast Guard when women barely could. My brothers went into the Air Force. My nephews deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Why This Matters Now
July 4, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A quarter of a millennium. Most of us will never see another milestone like this in our lifetime.
I run a furniture store. I know that. But I also run a business in a community I love, in a county with a connection to the American Revolution that almost nobody knows about. The last naval battle of the Revolution was fought off Cape Canaveral. Right here. Our county has a story to tell — and so does yours.
So this is my answer: I'm doing this because somebody should. Because the stories deserve to be told. Because the people in this community who serve, who sacrifice, who build — they deserve to be recognized. And because if a furniture store in Melbourne, Florida can make even a small number of people stop and think about what this country means, then it was worth every minute.
What We're Doing
Between now and July 4, 2026, Atlantic Fine Furniture is hosting a full America 250 celebration — sharing the real stories of America's founding, honoring local heroes through our America Is Me campaign, and giving back to the community that has given us so much.
This isn't a sale dressed up as patriotism. It's a celebration that happens to be hosted by a store that believes in American-made quality, American craftsmanship, and the American community.
I hope you'll be part of it.
Eric Long
Owner, Atlantic Fine Furniture & Mattress
Melbourne, Florida
The Long Family's Service Record
Grandfather — U.S. Army, World War I
Father — U.S. Army Aviator, Vietnam
Aunt — U.S. Coast Guard, World War II
Two Uncles — U.S. Navy, World War II
Uncle — U.S. Army, World War II, Korea & Vietnam
Two Uncles — U.S. Army, Korea
Two Uncles — U.S. Army
Uncle — U.S. Air Force
Two Brothers — U.S. Air Force
Nephew — U.S. Air Force, Middle East
Nephew — U.S. National Guard, Afghanistan