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.
=====================================================
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"
It's worth two million.
That was wonderful what you wrote.
________________________________________
timydnuc posted this beautiful composition on another thread, and I think it's appropriate here as well. Feel free to mega-ping this post if you wish. : ) Mega thanks!
When I was a kid, I used to walk to the movie house. I'd look at the flag in the courthouse square. I always will remember how good it made me feel. My feelings actually went beyond just a good, warm feeling, the sight of that flag made me feel safe, and loved. That flag has always made me feel that way.
The sight of that flag always made me think that I could do anything, and so many times it proved my feeling right. I used to take the flag down at our house when I was a kid. I remember feeling the stitches and thinking that it is a piece of many cloths, sewn together by delicate thread. But, when it was all together it was a symbol of the greatest love, and the greatest strength this world has ever seen.I remember thinking that as long as I could see that flag I would always be home.
When I was a young lad of 19 years I went half way around the world to fight a war for that flag, and all it stood for. I was scared, and I was lonely, till I saw that flag, then I was home. I was eating dinner with my family, I was kissing my girl goodnight, I was looking at the stars in my backyard. As we left base camp for a 3 week patrol I would stand, silent and still, for a moment looking at the flag. A tear would come to my eye, and a prayer on my lips..."God, make me good enough to die for my country if I must, and make me good enough to live for it if I can".
Well, He must of had a higher purpose for me, because here I am, typing this. Today I raised that flag, just after dawn. I took it in my hands and I looked at those little stitches that hold together those pieces of cloth. I had a shudder of life run up my spine, and a tear came to my eye. A great banner of many cloths held together by those little stitches. That flag protects me, and my family. It makes us feel safe, it brings us home, it gives us comfort, it binds us together and makes us one. Those little stitches holding together those pieces of varied cloth, they bring me home and protect me.
As my flag took it's first breath of the morning breeze it snapped and started flying, proudly in that breeze. I felt so safe standing there under it. It was shouting it's defiance against enemies, it was waving it's call of unity and freedom for all Americans. It reminded me that I was a part of the greatest thing that mankind has ever done. I could almost hear those little stitches say..."We'll hold these pieces of cloth together, and we'll do it as long as it takes. When we are done, and we can't do it anymore there will be more of us to do this thing again, and again, and again". These are the little stitches that keep our nation together. They are you and I, they are your neighbor, and your crazy cousin. They are Freepers, and the Robinsons, and all the "faithful". We're all little stitches that hold together the pieces of cloth that make up our nation. When we see it, we feel safe, and we walk home, unafraid.
Timy
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.