Unapologetically American – and Proud of It
Today is the Fourth of July when we honor America’s Independence from the British Empire. On this day in 1776, we recognize the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall.
The signing of this document was a bold act of defiance against the crown, a testament to the courage of our Founding Fathers. They risked everything – their lives, their families, their way of life – to stand up for their belief that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
As I write this, I hear fireworks going off in the distance. A severe thunderstorm just passed, but it looks like it will remain clear enough for my neighbors to set off explosions in the sky to celebrate the occasion. Instead of fireworks, I decided to watch Saving Private Ryan, a war film released in 1998 directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, and Tom Sizemore.
The film follows a group of World War II soldiers who are on a mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan, who is missing in action after parachuting into France during D-Day. Their mission is to bring him home safely after his three brothers have been killed in action. When I initially saw the movie, I don’t think I properly processed how brutal the opening scene was.
For those who haven’t seen the movie, the opening scene depicts the Allied Forces invading Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944. It is brutal, unsettling, and difficult to watch. Nevertheless, it’s a crucial one because it shows the devastation of that day. Over 80 years ago, these men ran towards machine gun fire, land mines, and who knows what else, knowing that there was a high probability that they were going to die.
So, why did they do it?
Like the Founding Fathers, these soldiers believed in something. They believed in their country and were selflessly willing to give their lives for what it stands for. This is true for all the men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces or who work as policemen or firefighters.
There was a time when people were proud to be Americans, when people were patriotic. Growing up, especially in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, I remember that there used to be American flags everywhere. People used to stand proudly for the American anthem. Big Hollywood movies had sets with the American flag in them. People respected the police and our institutions. While we disagreed on certain political issues, we at least had this sense of patriotism in common.
These days, however, this isn’t the case. According to a recent Gallup report, just 67% of Americans say they are extremely or very proud to be Americans. In comparison, from 2001 through 2017, no fewer than 75% of those polled said they were extremely or very proud. It’s undeniable: patriotism is on the decline in our country. This fact should be a cause for concern for all of us.
I have a few theories as to why that may be the case. Since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, trust in America’s core institutions, such as businesses, government agencies, and corporate media, has been completely eroded. Americans just don’t trust authority anymore. Today’s harsh, divisive political environment is also probably contributing to this decline in patriotism. But no matter the reason, one thing is certain: our country cannot function if a faction of its citizens feels animosity toward it.
I could never, ever feel shame or animosity toward my country. Frustration? Perhaps. Disappointment? Maybe. But never shame or animosity. Perhaps this is because of how I was raised.
Growing up, I saw firsthand the opportunities America offers, especially to immigrants. My grandparents – my Oma and Opa – were born in present-day Romania. When they were ten years old or so, they were forced to flee their home with nothing but the clothes on their backs or risk facing the wrath of the Soviet Army, whose directive was to rape and pillage as they invaded Eastern Europe. They told me all kinds of sobering stories of what they saw as they fled.
After the war, they ended up in a refugee camp, where they stayed for five years before their paperwork to come to America was finally approved. When they first settled here in Ohio, they didn’t speak the language, and they were unemployed. They essentially had nothing. Through hard work and determination, they started a family and lived a prosperous life after losing everything during the war because they had the opportunity to come to America.
My Oma and Opa's story of how they came to America is not unique. Millions of immigrants like them travel to America in search of a better life, and many of them find it. America is the land of opportunity as long as you are willing to work hard.
It saddens me that some people don’t feel this way. Too many Americans, especially the younger generation, I fear, take our country – and the freedom it provides – for granted. It's culturally acceptable to criticize our country’s system even if the people who are doing the criticizing have benefited from it.
I think we desperately need a patriotic revitalization in our country. It won't happen overnight and certainly won't be easy, but I believe it is possible. Patriotism begins at the family level. It can be as simple as hanging an American flag outside the house or reading the Declaration of Independence as a family before going to see fireworks. If our kids are raised patriotic and understand why the soldiers at D-Day were willing to run toward machine gun fire or why the Founding Fathers risked everything, then, eventually, we will be able to change our culture. Then perhaps more of our populace will become as I am: unapologetically American—and proud of it.
On this Independence Day, I want to thank all the men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces, as well as the police and firemen who serve and protect their local communities.
I hope you are able to celebrate with your family and friends because, as John Adams once said, Independence Day “ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Happy birthday, America!