Already the streets across small town America are lined with commemorative flags, pictures of fallen soldiers and white wooden crosses that bear the names of those that have lost their life in the eternal fight for freedom. Each year, it is the same. Independence Day brings back yard barbeques, fireworks and helps stir the black cauldron of patriotism that for most of the year lies stagnant within the hearts of Americans. On this one day – the Fourth of July – it seems that everyone stands tall and proud, attending parades reminiscent of the 1940’s and saluting those in uniform…both dead and alive. But what does it really mean to be an American? What does the Fourth of July mean to the so many people across the United States?

It is difficult to speak for everyone; but for a modern family raising children with no relatives in the military; the Fourth of July is a holiday that forges time for a family to spend the day together; eating hot dogs and roasting in the hot summer sun. It is about big sales on everything from furniture to food and finding cute outfits in red, white and blue. It is about hanging a flag from the porch with a certain sense of knowing who you are and where you belong; without cognizant understanding of what it would be like to live in the rest of the world. The Fourth of July is a day of rest, where big business and government is closed; a day where the mail will not bring any bills and many people gravitate to beach resorts and seaside rentals to spend the long weekend. Early morning newscasts recap American history outlining the constant fights and struggles of a country that has been fighting an internal battle that might never be won. Then comes the stories about soldiers; both men and women – mothers and fathers, sons and daughters who are stranded in war torn countries or have given up their life to ensure the safety and freedom of those of us sitting comfortable under the big sky exploding with fireworks. Perhaps tears and a choking sense of worry or sympathy develops, creeping up in our hearts as we think about our own families and what it would be like to lose or miss someone that we love and depend on. Kids running, screaming, eating cotton candy and laughing; mesmerized by the display in the sky with sun burned cheeks and white marks where their bathing suits hid the sun from their skin. Fleeting thoughts run toward our children as we worry, wonder and hope for their future. Some of them will be soldiers themselves and others will lose their life one day in the name of patriotism.

Then…the fourth of July comes to an end. Almost suddenly the next day the flags that decorated the mediums across American highways are gone and the crosses stored until next year. The sales continue and most of us; forget. The sad and sobering truth is that being an American means that very few of us have to worry or struggle everyday of our lives. We have more food and opportunity than most of the world and are able to get second chances at everything whether we committed a murder or filed bankruptcy. Americans have expectations of always having enough gas to fill their cars and feel cheated if they cannot get a decent vacations planned throughout the year. Stores throw away more milk, eggs, butter, cheese and other perishables than many people in this world even have access to. We would prefer to throw away an apple with a bruise choosing another that is shiny and perfect than cut our the bad spot and feel grateful for the summer fruit that someone grew, fertilized, picked and basically delivered to our home. Our children are shunned for wearing the same clothes twice in a week while others in this world have only one pair of pants and no shoes. If our electricity goes out, we shut down and complain about the men and women who aren’t getting it back on fast enough. The same is true for our cable, phone or internet.

The Fourth of July provokes feelings of hypocrisy in most. We have the best, most educated doctors in the world; yet are as a country very ill. We have a fair, just government that provides all to everyone; yet still so many can’t believe our current Commander in Chief is black. We have more freedom, independence and citizens yet have few willing to take responsibility for themselves and their own families. We have gifts of roads, government services, military, health care, excellent schools, parks, recreations, police & fire safety and every other commodity under the sun yet have very few willing or able to say thank you or realize the expanse at our fingertips. In a world that has so little; Americans have more than they could every use, need or want- yet still everyone seems to want more. Even worse, we want it all yet don’t want to share it with those that either don’t look, talk, act, pray and feel like we do or those that see this country as a beautiful land of transforming promise. Somewhere across this country there are immigrants taking a course to learn about our history, heritage and government just so they can become one of us; when an estimated 33% of Americans can name more than 5 presidents let alone our first president or tell you what the Civil War, Vietnam War, World War I and II or Desert Storm were truly about. 9/11 is becoming a memory for those not personally affected and the current strife in the Middle East is something few think about at all any more. We have freedom of religion yet cannot pray in schools and still so many in the Southern United States can’t even decide or agree upon a proper flag to hang in their yard.

The Fourth of July is absolutely an American tradition. If you have ever witnessed school age children learning about the history of America, the influence of Indians and the Civil War you will see the true meaning of this day in history. To see someone stand in front of the White House for the first time, watch the Blue Angels in actions, witness the arrival of soldiers in camouflage arriving home after duty or take a walk through Arlington Cemetery, experience the Vietnam Wall and stand at the lawn near the Washington Memorial allows any of us to catch a glimpse or feel the cold tingle up our spines about just what it should mean to be an American – yet few here in the States take the time or have the inclination to do so.

Perhaps it is enough that one or two days out of the year are spent honoring a country that gives so much to the people who take all they can get from a country that entitles us to one thing so many in this world do not have…freedom! The fight however continues. As the United States knows the empowering and beneficial aspects to giving people rights and freedom we have taken on the paternal duty to try and provide it for all God’s children; whether they are willing to see or not. The Fourth of July is day that all of us whether directly or indirectly affected by the country we live in should ring the liberty bell of peace, harmony and love knowing that all over this world there are millions of people worried about more than matching a patriotic outfit or having enough buns for their hot dogs! Many of those people are Americans too – dodging bombs and bullets, living like animals, away from those they love and those that love them all in the name of freedom, pride and patriotism. If nothing else, the thought of that should cause us enough pause to finally and purposely feel grateful for EVERYTHING that we have.