Patriotic Reflections
WHAT JULY 4TH MEANS TO YOU
Defending Freedom
Many of you wrote about your appreciation of the freedom that is allowed Americans and about your gratitude to those who risk or sacrifice their lives defending that freedom. Thank you for allowing us to share some of your responses here.
From: Jennifer Hughes, Washington
“On today, the 4th of July, America's Birthday, I think about patriotism. As a child, it meant being proud to be an American as I recited the Pledge of Allegiance. As a teen, it meant thanking and appreciating those who served our country, to defend our freedom and the freedom of others around the world. Now, as a young adult, it means reflecting on my choice to enter the military as an officer after completing college, as I am motivated by my own sense of duty to serve my country.”
From: Heidi Bassani, Washington, DC
“Independence Day has always been a time for me to be grateful for all our service members and their families who have sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy and often abuse. In my job, I work with injured soldiers and now not a day passes that I'm not inspired and awed by these brave and resilient men and women. We should be thankful every day, not one day a year, that we have people like this securing our freedom! Thank you a million times over.”
From: Jeanette Mullis, Arkansas
“[July 4th, 2006] is the 2nd 4th of July celebration since my son returned from 2 deployments to Iraq. We will grill hotdogs and hamburgers and we will remember the hardships and emotional suffering of the families of those serving in the military. Most of all, we will give thanks that our family can be together in this great country.”
From: Matthew Weaver, North Carolina
“July 4th means everything to me. As a college student who is studying to become a history professor, I am constantly moved and amazed reading the sacrifices that our early American leaders endured and some died so that we can have our freedom. Freedom to worship, go to work, attend school, and to be with our families is the greatest freedom in the world. Whether you agree/disagree with the war situation that is going on, our soldiers deserve the respect and support from Americans. May God always bless America and this great country.”
From: Linda Montoya, Texas
“I recently returned from my first visit to Washington, D.C. The memorial that I most wanted to see was the World War II Memorial. My father served in the US Army during WWII, and fought in the Pacific. He did not live long enough to see this Memorial finished and would have been proud to see that he, along with others, were not forgotten. That Memorial, along with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean Memorial moved me to tears. The words ‘Freedom is not free’ etched on the wall at the Korean War Memorial takes on new meaning after the events of 911. A young man who meant a great deal to our family was killed in Iraq on December 4, 2004. I also saw the new Memorial Wall in the Rayburn House Office Bldg. dedicated to those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The lives of all of these young men and women lost to us in war stand as a reminder to all what the freedoms we enjoy cost so many. On this Independence Day, I am a free, independent citizen of the USA because of all of those in the military who have served for me, my family and the freedoms I enjoy. Freedom is not free. The cost is great, and many paid the price for me. To them I am thankful, and because of them I am blessed.”
From: Robert Martin, Indiana
"To me, the Fourth of July is more than just family, hot dogs, apple pie and fireworks – it is a time to reflect on all of the freedoms I have as a citizen of the USA; and it is a time to be grateful to all the men and women who have sacrificed time, fortune, liberty and even life so that I, and every citizen, could have those freedoms given us in the Constitution."
From: Raymond E. Smith, Washington
“The Fourth of July means liberty and justice for all; freedom of worship and speech. I am a Korean Vet and I love my country and I am proud that I served my country.”
From: Brian Aucion, Massachusetts
“I am so thankful to all the veterans who made the sacrifice so that we all may live in freedom. I am only 46 and have never served in the Armed Forces, but I have the utmost respect for all the men and women in uniform. Ask my wife, I have flags all around the house and whenever she wants to get me a present, I tell her, ‘Anything with the flag on it.’ God bless our great land.”
From: Dale Karraker, Maryland
"As a fourth generation US Navy retiree, I use this day to reinforce to my children the importance of this date and what it represents. Having seen first-hand around the globe what it is like NOT to have the freedoms we hold so dear, we try to emphasize reflection on the sacrifices that gave us those freedoms. We usually have a family barbecue followed by attending the A Capitol Fourth celebration or a commemoration at one of the National Battlefields in the DC area. Our most revered tradition, however, is to raise the flag as a family in front of our home, followed by a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. If we are not at A Capitol Fourth, we ALWAYS watch it on PBS. Keep up the great tradition!"
