Proud to be an American

"...Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" The perfect ending to the greatest national anthem. Each time I hear this song of love for our country, I imagine the generations of soldiers, families, and refugees who have made America the wonderful place that it is today, and tears blur my vision.

For more than two hundred years, men and women have fought to keep our country safe and to protect the freedoms we so often take for granted. Daily, they risk their lives to protect the stars and stripes and what they represent. See, the flag is not just an item to be saluted. It is a virtual representation of all that this country has been, is, and will continue to stand for. Freedom for all people. Freedom is more than a word, it is a lifestyle. When you look at Americans, we are allowed to gather together peacefully without having to receive government permission. We can speak up when we believe our government is making a mistake and we won't be shot dead on the spot. We can have a different color skin or religion and not be persecuted. How amazing it is to say, "I am an American!"

People who are ashamed of our country break my heart. Some refuse to stand and say the pledge or talk during the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Others come right out and say, "I am ashamed to call myself an American." Sometimes, I am attempted to scream, "How dare you? How can you live here, enjoy the freedoms, and bask in the respect and admit shame of residing here? People have lost their lives and livlihoods protecting the land you despise. Why don't you go tell their families that their sacrfice wasn't good enough?" But then the thought just splits my heart into tiny pieces.

For those who don't see the importance of saying the Pledge and respecting the flag, I am grieved. Each morning, as you stand and recite the words, somedays it may seem like rote memorization, but ponder the meanings of the words. "I promise to remain loyal to all that the United States of America represents, to this nation that allows me to choose my leaders, we are one, unified nation, only surviving through the power of God, never to be divided or destroyed, with freedom and fairness to everyone." So basically, when you refuse to say the pledge, you are saying that America is nothing and you'd rather live anywhere but here. I'm sorry but that irks me. Wait, no, I'm not. The least you can do to honor the veterans around this country is stand up for about 30 seconds in the morning and pledge to everyone around you that you will not let their efforts end in vain.

SIDENOTE: In the Olympics, the team who wins the gold in any given event has the honor of hearing their national anthem played as their flag is raised. When the US wins, I'm so excited and I can't wait to hear our anthem played as our flag rises higher than any other nation. Even though I'm not the one who won the gold medal, tears drift down my cheek when I hear the sound. Maybe it's the fact that the song signifies that they didn't win the medal for themselves, but rather for the glory of the entire nation which then gives it all to the Christian God upon which this country was founded.