While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God bless america, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless america,
My home sweet home.
-- irving berlin
What does Independence Day mean to you? Is it a day to reflect on the glorious history of this nation? Is it a day to watch parades and fireworks? How many of the millions of people watching fireworks tonight actually realise what it means, what they stand for? Are they in remembrance of those words in the National Anthem recalling the Stars and Stripes flying over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, flying throughout the night, visible by "The rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air..." or are they just something to "oooh" and "aaah" at?
Now, even though I am a foreigner, not a US citizen, can't vote etc etc etc, to me, Independence Day is a special day. It is a day when we should all take a moment, maybe bow our heads in prayer if we are so inclined, and think back to the founding of our nation. I say "our nation" because, for me, this is my nation. Sure, I'm from New Zealand. But I live here now, and have done so for the last nine years. This is truly a country that I love, that I am proud of, that I am patriotic of. Is that possible? Yes, indeed it is. This is my home.
So many people seem to take this day for granted, and that peeves me off somewhat. To a lot of people, it's a day for fireworks, barbecue, friends and, most importantly, a day off work. Should it not also be a time to think just how lucky we all are? Granted, it's a time for family and fellowship, but a lot of people think the only day they should look back and be thankful is either Thanksgiving, or Memorial Day.
I can see where Memorial Day comes in, whereby we thank, honor and remember those who have either given their lives in defense of this country and the foundations upon which it stands, or serve this country in some manner of the armed forces. I can also see where Thankssgiving Day comes in, though that draws doen for a lot of people as another day off work, with the added bonus of football and a big ol' turkey. But why does the 4th of July seem so trivialised? Should we only remember our service men and women on Memorial Day? Should we only be thankful on Thanksgiving Day?
On a personal note though, I realise that yes, indeed it is a day for family and frineds. That is why, with the rest of my family out on vacation in CO, it was my friends I could turn to on this day. To Jen for sharing the afternoon with me, I thank you. To Troy and Kate, for sharing dinner and drinks with me, I thank you. And to Lisa, Scott and Katie for inviting me out to watch fireworks with them, I thank you. It was hard to be away from my falmily this 4th, but you know what? Fuck it, I haven't got it bad. Let's think about all the sevice men and women on deployment in various parts of the world who can't be with their loved ones this Independence Day. You know what though? They're trying to give others the ability to one day look back and see their own Independence Day. As George W. Bush alluded to in his speech today to WV ANG members in Matinsburg WV, there is a direct link to our fight for freedom over two hundred years ago and to what we are trying to achieve for the Iraqi and Afghan people.
Hopefully one day we can look back in pride with what we have achieved for those people as well.
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God bless america, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless america,
My home sweet home.
-- irving berlin
What does Independence Day mean to you? Is it a day to reflect on the glorious history of this nation? Is it a day to watch parades and fireworks? How many of the millions of people watching fireworks tonight actually realise what it means, what they stand for? Are they in remembrance of those words in the National Anthem recalling the Stars and Stripes flying over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, flying throughout the night, visible by "The rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air..." or are they just something to "oooh" and "aaah" at?
Now, even though I am a foreigner, not a US citizen, can't vote etc etc etc, to me, Independence Day is a special day. It is a day when we should all take a moment, maybe bow our heads in prayer if we are so inclined, and think back to the founding of our nation. I say "our nation" because, for me, this is my nation. Sure, I'm from New Zealand. But I live here now, and have done so for the last nine years. This is truly a country that I love, that I am proud of, that I am patriotic of. Is that possible? Yes, indeed it is. This is my home.
So many people seem to take this day for granted, and that peeves me off somewhat. To a lot of people, it's a day for fireworks, barbecue, friends and, most importantly, a day off work. Should it not also be a time to think just how lucky we all are? Granted, it's a time for family and fellowship, but a lot of people think the only day they should look back and be thankful is either Thanksgiving, or Memorial Day.
I can see where Memorial Day comes in, whereby we thank, honor and remember those who have either given their lives in defense of this country and the foundations upon which it stands, or serve this country in some manner of the armed forces. I can also see where Thankssgiving Day comes in, though that draws doen for a lot of people as another day off work, with the added bonus of football and a big ol' turkey. But why does the 4th of July seem so trivialised? Should we only remember our service men and women on Memorial Day? Should we only be thankful on Thanksgiving Day?
On a personal note though, I realise that yes, indeed it is a day for family and frineds. That is why, with the rest of my family out on vacation in CO, it was my friends I could turn to on this day. To Jen for sharing the afternoon with me, I thank you. To Troy and Kate, for sharing dinner and drinks with me, I thank you. And to Lisa, Scott and Katie for inviting me out to watch fireworks with them, I thank you. It was hard to be away from my falmily this 4th, but you know what? Fuck it, I haven't got it bad. Let's think about all the sevice men and women on deployment in various parts of the world who can't be with their loved ones this Independence Day. You know what though? They're trying to give others the ability to one day look back and see their own Independence Day. As George W. Bush alluded to in his speech today to WV ANG members in Matinsburg WV, there is a direct link to our fight for freedom over two hundred years ago and to what we are trying to achieve for the Iraqi and Afghan people.
Hopefully one day we can look back in pride with what we have achieved for those people as well.
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
words and music by Woody Guthrie
words and music by Woody Guthrie
Chorus:
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tresspassin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
Chorus
In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
Chorus (2x)
©1956 (renewed 1984), 1958 (renewed 1986) and 1970 TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc. (
BMI)
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