"The emblem of the land I love..."

Perhaps it is because my birthday is flag day, or maybe because we are living overseas, but this 4th of July seems more poignant than many before.


When we arrived in Astana exhausted and shutdown, we entered our apartment relieved to deposit our exorbitant amount of luggage. What I did not expect to find when looking out of our living room window was a clear and direct view to OLD GLORY. I called Brett over and we hugged each other while looking into the grounds of the American Embassy.

This view has often brought comfort when homesick, and it provides a reminder for how blessed I am to be a citizen of the United States of America. While I may not agree with past, current, or maybe even future political leaders, the fact remains true that I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.


I have made a playlist that the children and I have been listening to of Patriotic songs. One of the songs I chose to include is entitled Fanfare To The Common Man by the remarkable American composer Aaron Copland. Aaron Copland somehow manages to embody how I feel about America in music. This powerful tribute pays homage to the depth of a soul, even that of a "common man". America is full of men and women who may be considered common, or simple. There are even many in this great country who live very difficult lives.  Yet the fact remains they are blessed. Blessed with opportunity, blessed with choice, blessed to be a "common man" in a nation which recognizes that regardless of an individuals wealth or status at birth, who he or she will be, is yet to be seen.

The following are by Norman Rockwell, an American artist, who was also able to capture how I feel about the US through painting. These particular works were created as a set and entitled "The Four Freedoms". Freedom from Fear, Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Want, Freedom to Worship. (8)

   

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. (6)

The powerful national anthem THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 in reflection upon the war of 1812.


(Verse 1 and 4)

1

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


THE STATUE OF LIBERTY is a symbol of this great America. She has been the beacon to which many have set their sights. When the expense of creating this monument became too great, the citizens of New York and America rallied. Thrust forward by the powerful words of Emma Lazarus, the funds were raised and Lady Liberty became the gateway of America.

“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.

From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!"” cries she

With silent lips. 

“Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

                                    Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, 
                                          I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

ELLIS ISLAND
Hungarian mother and daughters specially dressed for their arrival in America. 
(photo courtesy of the National Park Service)

2

While I was a child during my own families IMMIGRATION process to America, there are images and many feelings which I hold dear to my heart. The sacrifices made by my parents on behalf of my sister and I are precious to me. Their belief in the "American Dream" was so powerful that through the mercy of God, the love of friends, and prayers of faith we were able to become citizens of this great nation. The United States of America is the only nation in which once you are naturalized you are a 100% citizen, holding all freedoms, privileges and responsibilities as though you were born on its soil.

While the American people have faced hardships, they have rallied together to overcome. This July 4th I want to be better. I want to remember what was given for me to be an American. I want to remind people what it means to be an American.  I want to be good and wholesome. I want people to believe in hope.

I want people to dream.

3

5

7

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,

Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain! 

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet

Whose stern impassioned stress

A thoroughfare of freedom beat

Across the wilderness! 

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life! 

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears! 

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea! 

1. from http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/05/crown_to_re-open_at_statue_of.html

2. from http://www.ellisisland.org/photoalbums/ellis_island_album109.asp
3. from http://www.iwojima.com/
4. from http://reddogreport.com/2010/07/patriotism-is-not-dead-homeless-man-rescues-american-flag/
5. http://mikehermus.com/2011/09/91111-remembering/
6. from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
7. from http://allenwestrepublic.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/the-next-greatest-generation-by-scott-cooper-reflections-from-the-burg/children-in-front-of-american-flag/
8. http://www.best-norman-rockwell-art.com/four-freedoms.html
9. The title is from the song "You're a Grand Old Flag" by George Cohan