Liberty

So last year, on Independence Day, you may remember that I posted my rendition of George W.'s obituary.

And I've made my feelings quite clear in regards to our present administration.

However, today I want to acknowledge something else. To acknowledge that an administration does not this country make...no matter how hard it tries.

I happen to LOVE my country and its people.

I remember as a child learning about the "melting pot" that the United States of America is - a combination of people from every corner of the globe. And I remember being struck as a youngster at how ANYONE could become an "American". And I thought (and still do) that that was extremely cool.

I'm a descendant of Greek and Irish heritage. But, I'm an American. As much as I love the French, the English, the Nepalese and the Thai, I will never be any of those. I can't. I can be a citizen in their country, but I'll never be one of them. I would always be considered an ex-patriot.

But here, here in these United States, anyone can become an American. And to me, well...that just blows my socks off. I think it's pretty fucking cool. It's the closest thing that we have going to being a "World Citizen" that I also consider myself to be.

Our population consists of people from every nation, every ethnic group, every religion or none at all. And it's the hearts and spirits of these people that I'm in love with.

Just watch when there's a global disaster. The U.S. Government might fall short of doing its part, but not its people. In the wake of the great tsunami that hit a few years ago, the out-pouring of aid from the world was humbling and inspiring to me. But my fellow Americans stepped up to the plate and made me glowingly proud to be one.

So, today I'm not going to bash an administration that I'm not fond of because no one administration could represent the hearts and souls of a people and their ideals. However, there is a symbol that does. And I happen to be crazy about her too.

I remember coming across the harbor in New York at night after just arriving back in the States after Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti back in the 90's. We were headed to Governors Island for debriefing.

We were tired from the deployment (although we don't look that tired here, do we?) and glad to be coming home. But, I remember looking across the water at this graceful woman standing in the darkness welcoming us back to our home. She stood like a gentle giant, but strong in her stance, nothing weak about the kindness she was conveying. It was quite the contrary, in fact. Tears filled my eyes and pride almost burst the seams of my heart.

I was home. And I was proud and grateful. I felt that I was part of an ideal of preserving freedom, life, liberty and happiness for all, not some...but for ALL.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Could anything more beautiful ever have been written? I don't think so...

Happy Independence Day, no matter who you are...