Patriotic Reflections
WHAT JULY 4TH MEANS TO YOU
Pride in America's Founding Ideals
Many of you wrote about your pride in the tenets on which America was founded. Thank you for allowing us to share some of your responses here.
From: Ina S. Land, Maryland
“It was never ‘cool’ to be patriotic, and others laughed when my mother stood wherever she was when the Star Spangled Banner was played, i.e., the movies, during a parade when the flag passed, at a ball game. I grew up learning not to laugh at my mother but to understand what she was trying to teach me, her only daughter, about the great gift and responsibility that came with being an American. I tried to impart this to my children, and now to my grandchildren, but I fear that I am the only one who feels goose bumps when I hear the song ‘America.’ My husband is patriotic and feels as I do, but I want our progeny to hold on to this country and to love it as I do. We may not agree with all that has taken place, but if asked, I would not want to live anywhere else in this world.”
From: Abby C., Tennessee
“Every year on the 4th of July...I am reminded of the insurmountable odds the founding fathers of this nation faced. They were looking into the eyes of the most powerful empire on the planet, and they still stood strong. The ‘rebels’ were never supposed to last past December of 1776, but even then the American spirit shown through and carried us to victory in 1783. The founders then came together, and although the disagreements were many, they managed to create what has become the longest surviving democratic government in history. I think so many Americans have forgotten the true bravery that everyone involved in the revolution showed daily. From Washington and Jefferson down the individual militia members; they are why we are still a nation today.”
From: John R Haelig, Sr., New Jersey
“July 4th is a time for celebration of the founding of our nation. Our community celebrates it by gathering at the site where George Washington first flew the flag of our country on June 14th 1777. The site was preserved by a non-profit corporation, with a deeded provision that the Declaration of Independence be read each year to a public gathering on July 4th. We will do so.”
From: Shawn Katzen, Connecticut
"The Fourth of July is the symbol of our Nation's freedom from oppression beginning when our forefathers arrived hundreds of years ago. Under tyranny of Britain, the colonies fought for their own freedom to make their own independent nation. They succeeded with the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. With these two documents, that set the tone for this country to be a great nation. Many have fought and died for this great country and I am proud to have the distinct honor to call myself American."
From: Wayne Johnson, North Carolina
“This year I will celebrate Independence Day with my own family, my wife and three girls and our extended family as we return to celebrate with our Nation at our Capitol. I can only hope that they too will have the opportunity to celebrate this most important day for our Nation in a way that will mark their lives and spark their patriotism.”
This year I will celebrate Independence Day with my own family, my wife and three girls and our extended family as we return to celebrate with our Nation at our Capitol. I can only hope that they too will have the opportunity to celebrate this most important day for our Nation in a way that will mark their lives and spark their patriotism."
From: Jim Sickora, Ohio
"I like to celebrate the Fourth by reflecting on how close we have come as a society towards our ideals. We have, indeed, come quite a ways since the days of our Founding Fathers, and we should be proud of that. Yet, we still have a distance to go. As a human institution, the United States has made, and is going to make, errors and mistakes along the way. But, if we take the time to learn from the lessons these problems teach and have the courage to correct them, we will have truly earned the right to be known as a 'superpower nation." That is the main reason our Constitution was made amendable, because of our human frailties and the determination to overcome them."
From: Jeromy Rose, Ohio
"To me, the Fourth of July represents a chance for all Americans to reflect on the greatness of our country and the rich historical past we have. We can celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and it also gives us a day to remember our great forefathers who risked everything to create our great country."
