You know I have to say that I am very happy to have been born in America (though there have been some things that have occurred in the past 8 years that I haven’t agreed with – but that is for another post).
I have had a number of friends from other countries and I tend to read quite a bit of how people live in other countries and though there may be some aspects of America that caan at times be challenging, we have it pretty darn good in the overall scheme of things.
To celebrate the 4th of July as well as my weekly Maniverse, I wanted to find some images that symbolize America to me… the first few are ones that I took myself, while the final images were ones that I idenitified through some online surfing.
And how the innocence of our Children shows us the importance of our faith in freedom
I have always felt that lady liberty was an iconic image that truly portrayed freedom and what America was all about…I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to see her coming into New York from a long sea voyage as an immigrant to the US… talk about a site.
Now this image makes me think Americana all the way. I find it interesting to see how people show their pride in their country. This is but one of many examples.
I hope to be able to have my Divas understand why America is so great, and why it is important for us to maintain the ideals that our founding fathers started so long ago. I can only try and educate and hope that they will come to appreciate our country as I do.
Finally, in thinking about this post, I was thinking about what it meant to be an American and wondered what would happen if I Googled this…this is what I found:
These are but a few ideas of what it means to be an American. What are your thoughts? What do you think it means to be an American? What images to you mean America or represent Americana?
I look forward to your thoughts!
Happy 4th of July!!!
Great post and great question. What it means to me to be American seems to big and overwhelming to put into words. For me it means so much. I feel like hit the lottery by being born in this country. It means Freedom. And with that freedom comes responsibility.
I have the freedom and rights to pursue my own happiness. My choices and my life are my own. Success or failure is my own, without the interference from or fear of my government. I may speak my mind, protect my family and worship my God. I have a voice in my government. I have a profound admiration for thousands of men and women who are willing to die to protect these freedoms for me, even if I am total jerkwad.
Now onto responsibilities. I have the responsibility of my own life in my hands. I can blame no one else for my failings or short comings. I have the responsibility to vote, no matter how I feel about the candidates. I have the responsibility to God, the God who granted me the inalienable rights mentioned in our constitution, to care for my fellow man and those less fortunate than myself(there are many ways to do this outside of government). I have the responsibility to contribute to society in a positive way. I have the responsibility to teach my children the ideals and history of this great nation and to teach them to honor and live up to those ideals so that those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for my children have not done so in vein.
All of these statements can not even begin to do justice to the pride and emotion that wells up inside of me when I think about what it means to me to be an American, nor does it do justice to my gratitude to those who have gone before me to make these freedoms possible.
Sorry if you weren’t looking for an essay, but you asked.
That is a great picture of your daughter holding the American flag! I’m very proud to be an American..cue music…just kidding. I feel it a responsibility to get involved in the community and help continue to shape our country into a place that is even better for our kids. That’s why I’ve volunteered so much, and that’s why I got elected as a local City Council member and am running for a second term this year. I’ve traveled the world, and while I love visiting other places, there is no place like home to me. Great post Chris! Thanks!
Sorry; it’s way to early to delve into this question (I just got up!) However, I will say that I agree that it’s important to teach our kids to value this life here in the states. I think you have to go other places to fully appreciate it here. Great post.
Great post and pictures. I remembering being in Spain one summer during college and on the Fourth of July reading a newspaper article written by Lee Iacocca on being an American. That made me feel pretty proud and patriotic.