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Americans Feeling More Patriotic This Independence Day [Happy Birthday, America!]
Gallup.com ^ | Thursday, July 4, Independence Day, 2002 | by Mark Gillespie

Posted on 07/04/2002 2:43:54 AM PDT by JohnHuang2

PRINCETON, NJ -- The sight of the American flag inspires feelings of pride in millions of Americans, and that pride is likely to be displayed even more this Independence Day weekend. New Gallup polling shows that more Americans will be flying the American flag this year than did last year, and slightly more will be spending time engaged in family-oriented activities. About a third say they plan on doing something on Independence Day specifically in remembrance of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Americans are also more likely than they were before the attacks to say they are extremely proud to be an American. Continues.

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Happy Birthday, America!

Today, this July 4th, 2002, on our nation's 226th birthday, America stands more united than ever.

In this sense, the terrorists -- the putrid dregs and cowards of 9/11 -- have already lost.

What a difference 10 months can make.

Believing they had found America's soft underbelly, our Achilles heel, the terrorists thought they could break our spirit, weaken us, wilt us from within, and ultimately defeat us. Their evil acts instead have only united us, strengthened us -- reinvigorated that indomitable spirit that makes us uniquely American.

Since 9/11, America's response -- bold, defiant, firm, unflinching -- clearly took our enemies by surprise. Our ability to beard the lion in his den, summon up our courage quickly and look danger eyeball-to-eyeball wasn't quite what our enemies expected. It's not the perception of Americans ingrained in students of the Madrassas, Islamic hate schools and the spawning ground for terrorists gung-ho on our destruction..

"Land of the free and home of the brave? Ha!", the terrorists scoffed last September.

They're not scoffing anymore, you'll notice.

This war is a battle of wills, a tug-of-war struggle of guts, grit, stamina, resolve -- psychological as much as conventional combat: On either theater, terrorists are toast.

Think of the sights and sounds this 4th of July holiday -- festively patriotic, high-spirited -- and how livid our enemies must feel: The fluttering flags, the colorful fireworks, the vivid parades, the marching bands, the yummy barbecues, the scrumptious picnics, the happy faces and, oh yes, the thunderous sound of our Star-Spangled Banner!

America is still number one. We're still the envy of the world.

Small wonder.

Americans are strong-minded people. Solid, bold, steadfast, tenacious. Yet reserved. And always dignified.

Americans are also big-hearted -- compassionate to the core. On private charity, at home and abroad, no country can match us. Our willingness to give is uniquely American. And unrivaled. American generosity touches the lengths and breadths of the earth. Countless have been blessed.

America is good.

It's why the evil-doers hate us, never forget.

Americans are also passionately idealistic. We know how truly rare, how truly precious this gem we call freedom is in this world today. And we're willing to die for it. The blessings of freedom we enjoy were earned on the battlefield, the hard-won fruit of untold sacrifices our servicemen were willing to make. They fought, they bled, they died for us. Without them, today there would be nothing to celebrate.

Americans are also incurable optimists. In America, buoyancy is innate, an integral part of the fabric of life. It's inherent in our culture, our music. It's why we prodigiously plan for the future. It's why we're the richest nation on earth.

In America, we never say die.

Since 9/11, we've passed the test -- the greatest test of strength and character imaginable. America rose to the occasion. Our ability to recover quickly, against all odds, is a testament of courage, toughness, mettle, resolve.

We've shown we can weather any storm.

America is that shining city on the hill, said the Gipper. And this dazzling glory, like her beauty and splendor, shall last forever.

We will always be that shining city.

As Americans, on this July 4th, there's so much to be proud of, so much to be thankful for, so much to look forward to.

Sounds trite?

Well, you may say that, but it's truer than ever before.

America, I love you -- and Happy, Happy Birthday!

God Bless our President, God Bless our servicemen and God Bless the United States of America!

My two cents...
"JohnHuang2"



TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: happybirthdayamerica
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Thursday, July 4, Independence Day, 2002

Quote of the Day by brityank

1 posted on 07/04/2002 2:43:54 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
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To: xm177e2; mercy; Wait4Truth; hole_n_one; GretchenEE; Clinton's a rapist; buffyt; ladyinred; ...

Happy 4th to all of you! God bless, and have a nice day


2 posted on 07/04/2002 2:52:44 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
Happy 4th, John!
3 posted on 07/04/2002 3:09:33 AM PDT by Dog
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To: JohnHuang2
You, too, John.

And everybody STAY COOL!

4 posted on 07/04/2002 3:38:40 AM PDT by Howlin
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To: JohnHuang2
Great article, John. And, dead on accurate.
5 posted on 07/04/2002 3:42:15 AM PDT by Vigilantcitizen
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To: JohnHuang2
Excellent, JH2! Thanks!
6 posted on 07/04/2002 4:15:30 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
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To: JohnHuang2
Thanks for the essay.

Happy 4th!

7 posted on 07/04/2002 4:16:26 AM PDT by RJCogburn
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To: JohnHuang2
Happy Fourth of July, John! You carry on the tradition of the pamphleteers of the Revolution, and in a fine style. God bless you, and have a wonderful holiday.
8 posted on 07/04/2002 4:55:38 AM PDT by Miss Marple
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To: JohnHuang2
Thanks, John and Happy 4th of July to you and the other great Freepers!
9 posted on 07/04/2002 5:49:23 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: All

NEVER FORGET!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

10 posted on 07/04/2002 5:55:07 AM PDT by SunnyUsa
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To: JohnHuang2
John, thanks for your beautiful, inspiring words.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

11 posted on 07/04/2002 6:01:09 AM PDT by BlueAngel
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To: JohnHuang2; All
God bless you and yours and this great country. Have a safe and happy weekend....
12 posted on 07/04/2002 6:44:56 AM PDT by eureka!
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To: All
Happy 4th of July
13 posted on 07/04/2002 6:51:35 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: SunnyUsa

Happy Birthday America. Never forget!

14 posted on 07/04/2002 6:55:12 AM PDT by McGruff
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To: JohnHuang2
I was enjoying your 'Two Cents' so much that I was sorry to see it end.

Happy Independence Day amigo.

5.56mm

15 posted on 07/04/2002 6:58:54 AM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: JohnHuang2
The same to you, and may we have many, many more.
God bless America.
16 posted on 07/04/2002 8:08:32 AM PDT by truthkeeper
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To: JohnHuang2
A beautiful tribute! Thank you so very much!!!
17 posted on 07/04/2002 8:25:09 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: JohnHuang2
Happy Happy !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

18 posted on 07/04/2002 10:09:31 AM PDT by blackie
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To: JohnHuang2
Amen
19 posted on 07/04/2002 10:43:15 AM PDT by Grammy
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To: JohnHuang2
America, I love you -- and Happy, Happy Birthday!

God Bless our President, God Bless our servicemen and God Bless the United States of America!

Well said, John.


20 posted on 07/04/2002 9:20:26 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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