TGIF

God Bless America!

I am so thankful that I live in the United States of America. I know that, right now, our country is divided in its view on the war in Iraq, and I know that there are many people who are unhappy with George Bush. But, we still live in the best country in the world, and I still get teared up when I hear the "Star Spangled Banner" sung at a baseball game. I love the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe in it. When I see a large American flag lit up at night and waving in the breeze, I get a fuzzy feeling in the deepest part of me that can only be described as genuine love.

I love my country.

Yes, I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud that our country fights for the underdogs and cares about the rights of women. And, although I worry that we have lost some of our respect around the world because of our decision to go to war in Iraq, I still believe that George Bush has the country's best interest at heart.

Growing up, my dad instilled in all of us a pride for our country. Not with words, but with the way he lived his life. He was a career Army man--and he was proud of his service. He served in Vietnam for a year when I was in fourth grade. I remember recording messages to him on our reel-to-reel tape recorder. And I remember getting his back. He always had a message for each kid (and a message for Mom that she listened to in private). It was a difficult year for all of us, but even then, we somehow knew that he was doing this for our country, and we were proud.

When we lived on the military base in Germany, we would go to the movie theatre (for 15 cents!), and before each movie, they would play the "Star Spangled Banner." Everyone would stand with their hands on their hearts and sing along with pride. That was so cool. I miss that. I wish theatres still did that.

With all of the images and stories that we are bombarded with on CNN and Fox these days, from countries around the world, stories about genocide, the persecution and oppression of women and girls who just want equal rights or the right to an education, the bombing of innocent people in restaurants and shopping centers, I thank God that I am an American.