Patriotism

I love this country. The more I've traveled around the world, the more history I read, the older I get...the more I know our country is unique, special and blessed.

Freedom is something we have and we have no idea what it's like NOT to have. In order to fully understand what it's like to not have freedom one must travel. Other countries' laws are different from ours. Their understanding of what is expected of their government, the services to their people is very unlike ours. Have those rights and freedoms, not just taken away but, not appreciated or endowed to individuals should be a wake-up call to U.S. citizens traveling abroad.

Two years ago the kids studied U.S. History. My favorite book we read was Johnny Tremain. It's packed away in the basement, otherwise I would open it and write my favorite quote from it. Samuel Adams is explaining to (I think) Johnny why the fight against the British is so important, so vital to not only the Americans but the whole world. It is a fight for freedom that will echo around the world and serve as a role model for the way governments should serve their people. So this fight, the revolutionary war is not a selfish endeavour and should not be abandoned when all hope is perceived lost.

Several years ago I was attending a youth group meeting at South Pasadena Calvary Presbyterian Church. I don't remember who was the leader. He took us up to the darkened balcony of the church. Maybe ten of us were huddled in the pews listening to the youth leader talk about Jesus when suddenly masked men stormed into our meeting and "arrested" us. We were told we were participating in an illegal public gathering and that we would be questioned to find out who was the leader of our group.

Of course that was all role playing. We were imagining what life was like behind the Iron Curtain (you remember the Iron Curtain, don't you?). That night has stuck with me for years, okay a lot of years! In the U.S. we never fear that invasion. In Burma, Uzbekistan, or Sudan they do.

A couple months ago I emailed a letter to my Senator and State Representative asking them to consider their position on the war and encouraged them to support the President's position. I received a letter back from Barack Obama and never feared a knock at my door questioning my loyalty or my ability to question Obama's service as my senator. There was a freedom to speak my mind and not fear reprecussions.

I love our country. I get irritated when I read, listen, or see some who disagree with my opinion but I honor that they can freely speak! Regardless of how much they rant and rave with their messed up opinions (or I do the same) the fact is they can and there is nothing to fear.

Exercise your freedom. Take advantage of it. Don't silence your voice. It was given to you 231 years ago today.