In my 20’s I spent almost a decade overseas in Europe and South America. During that time I became influenced by the prevailing European animosity toward America and everything she stood for. I’m not proud of those sentiments as I look back on them today. In many ways, the political division in our country today reminds me of those same sentiments. As I try to explain the significance and importance of days like today to my kids, my wife, who knows me and my history better than anyone, asked me, “What changed?”
To answer that question, I could point to the histories and biographies that I’ve read around our nation and its birth. I could point to countless abstract principles that supposedly make us better than other countries. But after some reflection, I see that it wasn’t something I learned that changed me; it was a decision, a free, conscious, intentional, deliberate decision on my part. I choose to focus on the best of us and the values they represent.
Yes, our politics are a mess. Congress is a swamp. Our foreign policy — and international influence — is confused and muddled at best. But, in spite of all this I can still choose to focus my attention on all those extraordinary people who came together during all periods of our country’s history to serve and live out the values our founding fathers enumerated so clearly.
Politicians like Lincoln, soldiers like Patton, civil rights leaders like Dr. King, leaders in technology and industry, science and research. There are so many people living out our core values of equality, freedom and the pursuit of life and happiness.
America is different as a nation. We know what we stand for. And even if a few of us, or a majority of us, don’t live up to our own values, it doesn’t negate all the wonderful things this nation has achieved. Here’s to the best of us! God bless the USA!
