Patriotic Reflections
WHAT JULY 4TH MEANS TO YOU
Celebrating Diversity
Many of you wrote about your gratitude for the diversity of our great Nation. Thank you for allowing us to share some of your responses here.
From: Gary L. Thomas, Maryland
“I look forward to seeing the annual celebration because it's a time for Americans to reflect on the greatness of the country. From its start in the 1700's to the present, this is a great country. When you reflect or think that through those years, the Revolutionary War to obtain independence from England, the years of slavery, the Civil War, the period of time that saw the abolishment of slavery, World Wars I and II, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc., you just have to feel good that even though we've had some good times, and yes some bad times, despite all of that the spirit of the American people's desire for harmony and justice, overall, trumps all of our shortcomings. It makes me feel a connection to my fellow man. I'm black and he or she may be of another racial group, and yet I feel nothing but brotherhood for them. All these things, acknowledgements, and observations, make me feel good about living in a land where I'm free and that most people I encounter just want to get along and live in harmony with one another. The bottom line is, simply stated, there are more people of good will than of ill will in America, and that makes me proud to be American. Is this a great country? YOU BET!!! “
From: Phyllis Mayberg, California
“History and especially the history of the United States has always been interesting to me. My grandparents immigrated to the United States in 1913, with the exception of one grandfather, who arrived in the early 1900's. Knowing that they came here to escape anti-Semitism, I realized that I was fortunate and privileged to be born in the U.S. My mother spoke often about the two trips that her mother made and how my grandmother taught herself to read and write English. Although I grew up in Monticello, New York, I often visited New York City with my parents who were born in the Bronx, to visit my grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. I enjoyed learning about the history of New York City and the tales of the Dutch settlers and cobblestone streets. I have vivid memories of my first trip to the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Our family vacations included visits to historic sites, i.e., Hyde Park and the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Lake George, Newburgh, West Point, the Hudson River Valley, Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg. When I was twenty years old, I sailed to Europe on The France. No one in my family had been to Europe since my grandparents arrived. Sailing out of New York past the Statue of Liberty made an impression that has never left. On the Fourth of July, I pause to remember all of the individuals who risked so much to create a new country and to provide a home for so many. I love being part of the continuing story of the United States.”
From: Rick Varner, Florida
“The Fourth of July reminds us of all that is right with America and “We the People.” The Fourth of July is about “family,” mine, yours and all American’s, protected by the rights and freedoms of this great country. It is a time for Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs to come together and live the dreams of our fore fathers, united under one nation with a voice in our future and that of our children. Even if the celebration is but a few moments in time, each year for this one day in July we truly are ‘We the People.’”
From: Denise Rachel, Virginia
“The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday because it doesn’t matter what type of American you are, man, woman, child, Democrat, Republican, black, white, Indian, Asian, Hispanic, European or Middle Eastern in origin, we all come together to celebrate in the United States as ’one.’ I wish we could celebrate this holiday everyday so there would be more peace on Earth.”
From: David Purdy, Colorado
"In a recent sermon, a minister in our Church observed that the Fourth of July is a time for all Americans to share that bond of nationality, no matter where your ancestors came from. Once you are an American, you have the right to celebrate the Fourth any way you want (long as it's legal.) God bless America. Looks like he did."
From: Eileen McVey, Maryland
“Fourth of July reminds me that I am free to be different from everyone else, free to speak my mind about these differences and free to accept and respect the differences in others.”
