Proud to be an American

Lee Greenwood

Whether you agree or disagree with the idea that we are still "free" in America, one thing stands true: the stars and stripes still fly over every government building and many homes and work places. In other words, 234 years after the first people signed the declaration of independence (the last signature was added in January of 1777) America is still here. And true to Lee Greenwoods hymn "God Bless America" I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.

The trials and tribulations of our country started well before 1776 and we have seen many wars since then, yet we still maintain our independence from the ruling of other countries. Each soldier, even the confederate soliders that have died for our country stood up for what they believed in, sacrificed family, friends and a home to help uphold the ideals that were put forth by our founding fathers.

But not all the people that died, giving us the right to remain free have been soldiers. In the wars that were contested on our soil, many wives, slaves, children and others were killed. Wether it was protecting thier homes, escaping to a less war filled place or standing up to the face of an oppressor, they all deserved to be remembered. From Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King to JFK, we must remember that our "given" right to be in this country we owe to countless men and women that have come before us.

In a letter written by Thomas Jefferson upon the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence he wrote: "For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them." So This July 4, remember where we came from, not just where we are going and have respect what the people before us stood for, even if we don't agree with everything they may have thought, we are doing a service to our country and with their memories we can uphold the traditions and values that made this country in 1776.

"Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land - God bless the USA!"