American Pride

Adia,

You and I went out to get some groceries today.  When we were driving through the neighborhood I noticed only one American Flag.  We are the youngest family living in this neighborhood, and the only family who flies an American Flag.  At first, the thought just made me kinda sad, then it made me angry.  We have become so comfortable, as a nation, we take our freedom for granted.  And we don't unite as one people.  Right now, there is a lot of bickering over the current Obama Administration and the Republicans are fighting each other for the nomination to run against Obama later this year.  I am very interested in politics and very passionate about what I believe.  Your daddy and I have our own political debates, and I'm sure once you can form sentences you will join in.  And I encourage and will hope that you educate yourself on politics.  But I don't want you to be political and not patriotic.   

Sometimes we are so busy with the messy details of each party that we forget we are ALL Americans.  No matter if people are Democrats or Republicans... We are all Americans.  We should all be so patriotic and grateful for our freedom that we all fly American flags.  We should all respect the soldiers who have fought for our freedoms.  We should all stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and when the National Anthem is played.

Tonight I was watching news coverage of rebel fighters in Syria who are trying to overtake the current government.  The government has now killed 6,000 people and Syrians are pleading to the US for help; to save their lives.  And there I sat, sitting on my couch eating tacos.  I thought how awesomely free I am.  I'm sitting here with basically no immediate worries on my mind, while there are people in other countries getting killed because they voice disapproval of their government.  It's times like these I swell up with pride in and thankfulness for my forefathers who sacrificed so much for me to be free.

We decorate every Fourth of July.  We stand when we ever hear the National Anthem and place our right hand over our hearts.  We pay our respects to American soldiers by attending memorials.  We shake a soldier's hand every chance we get and say thank you for your service.  We vote to make sure Veterans get their well deserved benefits.  They took care of us, we need to take care of them.  And we fly our free nation's flag proudly!