My brother ended a 7 year stint in the Navy in January of this year. I wish that I could say that prior to having my brother in the navy I always swelled with pride over our country, but that’d be a bit of an exaggeration. I love our country, and I am so thankful for the freedoms that we have, but I tell you what….until I stood on the docks of a Virginia naval base and watched an aircraft carrier lined with soldiers in whites on the deck, returning from 8 months at sea be united with loved ones, I didn’t get what it means, like I do now, to be an American.
I hugged a random woman beside me and we professed our love for one another and our country as tears streamed. The Star-Spangled Banner played, and the tip of the first boat of a fleet of ships, full of soldiers fighting to keep America free, came into view. My heart swelled with pride and love for my country and the people who keep America the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” And ya’ll….
I’m just so darn proud to be an American!
Happy 4th of July!
I thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
– lyrics from Proud to Be An American by Lee Greenwood
Beautiful post. Beautiful blog.
thanks so much!
So I just read this. Chills and tears. I am so glad your brother is home!! My brother deployed in April. It has only been three months, but it seems like so much longer! I agree, while I have always been proud to be an American, I haven’t always swelled with pride. But it really does bring on a whole new sense of thankfulness for the freedoms that we do have when we have a loved one serving!!