Most Americans are proud folks. We’re proud of our heritage and proud to have fought for and won our independence. People from other countries often call us arrogant, but do we care? Absolutely not! We are proud to be Americans and we’re not afraid to sing it to the heavens and we do!

Now, if you multiply the pride the average American feels by about 100, you have the sentiment veterans and current military members possess. Even those who reluctantly enlisted or were drafted are still proud of their service and what that service represents: Pride, Honor, Integrity, Loyalty, Sacrifice, Bravery and more. I’m willing to bet that even the most pessimistic of people have to admit that these are desirable traits for anyone to have. People who make our country exceptional possess these qualities.

Parades, barbeques, beach, river, lake or pool time, parties with family and friends and fireworks are the typical holiday activities, but to me it’s so much more. Amidst the revelry of parades, the boisterous voices raised in celebration and the boom of fireworks, I see this day as a time of quiet reflection. It’s a day to remember those exceptional people I served with during my time in the Air Force. It’s a time to be thankful for the ones who had the vision to declare our freedom and then sacrifice everything to obtain it. It’s a moment to remember and honor those who continue to guard our independence and ideals in this hostile world. It’s a chance to rejoice in what we so often take for granted: our FREEDOM! We are free to do, to live, to be what we strive to be, but don’t be mistaken. Freedom isn’t a God-given right. It’s an invaluable gift purchased with precious lives proudly offered up in the name of honor, strength, and love.

The Fourth of July is a chance to show our pride, our patriotism, our love of country and fellow Americans. It’s a chance to put aside all the politics, the hatred, the racism, the demons we still deal with as a society. This day allows us to focus, for a brief time, on what makes us good. And honorable. And precious. And worthy of the ultimate sacrifice.

And if we have any sense at all, we’ll realize, we aren’t worthy. Not yet! And we’ll strive to be better, to love more and unconditionally. We’ll speak up to protect the rights of all people, even those of different races, religions, social statuses, and orientations. We’ll work hard to lead by example. We’ll listen with objectivity and endeavor to put aside our hidden agendas. Our ultimate goal? To be the people worthy of the sacrifice so that the children we raise will grow to be the future worth saving.