I'm almost always asked two questions since I arrived here in the Netherlands. First, how do you like Holland? Answer: Love it, weather's great, people are nice, it's been a great experience so far. Second, don't you miss America? Normally my answer is 'not really', I miss some things mainly food (still haven't had a jalapeno),TV, and such. This week, however, is a little different I have to confess I am missing the good ol' U.S. of A quite a bit.
See it's the week leading up to one of my favorite holidays...July 4th, Independence Day...America's Birthday, if you will. All through the week there will be tips on where to go for firework displays, Bbq'ing ideas, and parades on both local and national news broadcasts. It's the week you can show your pride in being an American just as loud and proud as you possibly can. July 4th itself is usually a fun day. Huge firework shows at night, baseball games and patriotic movies (like 1776, Independence Day, The Patriot) all day, and lots of parades, bbq's and picnics. Just a great day to celebrate.
But why do we celebrate this day....we don't celebrate so much the day as the meaning of the events of the day. In 1776, a committee formed called Congress signed and delivered the Declaration of Independence...declaring ourselves free of the governing rule of Great Britain. This congress took a great risk since they were in essence committing treason. This day represents freedom and courage. The freedoms we have fought and died for and the courage it took to do so. The freedoms that have allowed us to make mistakes and at the same time become world leaders. We aren't perfect, in fact we can be arrogant, rude, emotional, ignorant, and obnoxious, but we can also be very caring, sympathetic, kind, and there to lend a hand when needed most. Sometimes we're late to the party (World War 2) but once we get there you can't stop us. Right or wrong, Americans have conviction in everything we do. You can knock us down, push us down, but you will not keep us down.
Our freedom and courage won't allow us to stay down. I will never forget Sept.11, 2001 not just because of the events of that day, but how we as a nation reacted. Now I know everyone will point to the Afghan and Iraq wars, but what I'm actually talking about is the emotions that were brought out. I remember going to work on Sept. 12th, after listening to nothing but conflicting and frightening news reports the day before...I walked into work got started...everyone there was quiet and sad that day and didn't really want to be there, then a song came over the radio..."God Bless the USA" (Proud to be an American) by Lee Greenwood...we all stopped what we were doing and just stood there listening to a song we'd heard so many times...that day it just meant a bit more. Some of us were almost in tears, all of us felt a pride well up inside us. Almost like getting a shot of adrenaline we all got back to work with less sadness, talking more, and most importantly, with meaning. I realized quickly that you might beat us down, but we're going to get back up. For 30 days, by order of the President, the flag was flown at half staff to mourn those lost...I remember the first day they allowed the flags to be raised. I was driving down the street and saw our flag waving high and proud..it had never been more beautiful...what was funny was you could see that I wasn't the only one reacting...in virtually every face I saw there was pride showing through.
This is why July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. The signing of the Declaration of Independence is what gave us the freedoms and courage to be ourselves, be proud, and always get back up. 
On July 4th, I will no doubt be thinking about the baseball game and fireworks and I will miss them. At the same time, I know that my American heritage is what gave me the freedom and courage to do the things I've done in my life...including moving to my new home...The Netherlands.
Yes, I have a confession to make...I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
