Patriotism Still Lives

Down with a very bad cold over the 4th of July weekend, I had the chance to watch the national Independence Day celebrations on TV. Yes, that was plural. I watched the shows from New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. I TIVOed them actually, but managed to get them all watched by the morning of the 5th.

It was a bit much, but not too much. I enjoyed the music, contemporary as well as patriotic, and was stirred as always by Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever. That, and the National Anthem and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic still brings me to shed a tear or two.

During these very tough times for our country, it might seem hard to rally the "rah rah" patriotic spirit of past years. Across the U.S. many fireworks displays were cancelled for lack of funds. Yet, as I watched all three shows, I made a point to watch the people attending. Many were adults, but the majority in my estimation were under 30. And while you might say that every one loves a party for whatever reason, I watched as people, old and young, sang along to "Yankee Doodle", or "It's a Grand Old Flag", and more than a few had tears after hearing and singing the "Star-Spangled Banner". That was a good sign that, "our flag was still there".

The many tributes to our Armed Forces, serving now and in the past, might seem a little worn after eight years of war, but what American cannot be moved by the sight of our wounded warriors, many still wanting to return to their units after losing an arm or leg.

Besides the obvious fun of a holiday, and the oft-heard complaint that most do not appreciate the real reason for celebration, I must disagree.

Despite some who have understandably given up because of the continued, unbelievable assaults on the Gulf states, or because they cannot find a job to support their families, there are exponentially more who still feel that the U.S.A. is the very best place to live, despite what we hope are soluable problems.

In fact, we cannot give up even if we have few or no real statesmen in Washington anymore. We cannot let those who signed that Declaration in July 1776 have all their work and real sacrifice be for naught after a relatively short 234 years.

There is lots to do, lots to think about, and much more hard work, and maybe even higher taxes to get us out of the current pickle, but I am sure that we will do it. The Stars and Stripes. Forever.