Happy July 4th
Happy July 4th – Happy 238th Birthday America, celebrate our glorious history
I write saddened that a new Pew poll reports that 44 percent of Americans describe themselves as “not always being proud to be an American.” Only 28 percent agree that America is an exceptional country.
I grew up in the 1950s and July 4th evokes memories of parades, cookouts and family festivities celebrating the birthday of our nation. My late father was a partially-disabled WWII veteran.
When I think of the 4th of July, the first thing that comes to mind is the flag.
It is the flag that Francis Scott Key wrote about during the bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in 1814 as he stood as a prisoner aboard a British ship. That’s what today’s fireworks represent.
The giant flag stood in defiance against foreign invaders who had burned Washington D.C., a generation after we won our independence.
His poem “Defence of Fort McHenry,” later became the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” that a great many, especially veterans, see as a love song to the country.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from “Defence of Fort M’Henry”, a poem written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key.
It’s the flag that covers the remains of the fallen who return from war.
It is the flag that was raised by five Marines and a Navy corpsman on Iwo Jima in 1945 on the 5th day of a 35-day battle that became the most iconic photo of WWII.
It is the flag that in foreign countries represents America and the principle of individual freedom. It’s also the banner of a great nation that deters violence against Americans across the globe.
But to veterans and others who have seen the devastation of war and people who live in fear of their governments and marauding groups, America is exceptional and a sense of great pride.
Regardless of one’s stance on immigration, consider the millions who already live here in violation of our laws and the additional millions from across the globe who have stood in line for years waiting for entry paperwork.
Consider the parents to our south who have paid thousands of dollars to criminals to bring their small children across our border, praying they survive.
I watched America’s Got Talent earlier this week and saw 29-year-old Sal Gonzales, a former Marine who lost a leg in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2004. He entertains wounded warriors. I watched thinking “I hope he can sing.” His beautiful voice got four thumbs up from each of the judges.
Sgt. Gonzalez mentioned his parents were first generation Americans. He reminded me of the thousands of members of our armed forces who serve in order to shorten their path to citizenship. During a mobilization to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in 2003, I worked with hospital patients who willingly risked their lives to become citizens of our great nation.
Fireworks explode over the East River with the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn bridge in the background as part of the 38th Annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks in Brooklyn, New York. (Credit: Andrew Gombert / EPA / NBC)
Each had suffered life threatening wounds – from gunshots, amputation, blindness, serious burns, and permanent physical and emotional scars. Yet the only regret each expressed was that he left “his Marines” behind. Each wanted back in the fight. Several were granted citizenship along with the awarding of their Purple Hearts.
Thank God for the men and women who keep our nation free from the turmoil that so many endure. They and previous generations of patriots are the reason we are able to celebrate our heritage as a nation.
Especially keep our current generations of veterans in your thoughts and prayers this holiday. Hire them. They can sing.
Source: David Skocik (president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition) / delawareonline
Writer: David Skocik, president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition, lives in Dover, Delaware. (Credit: courtesy image)