That day, that solemn moment in 1976 was not about freedom and democracy. It was not a celebration of many different things for many different people. It was about one family, the Americans, and their undying love for the family head they'd all gathered to greet: the United States. People said "Happy Birthday" to each other and rejoiced in the fact that we'd made it. I was only 14-years-old. I didn't know what they meant — made what?

We were all so happy, to be sure, for each other and ourselves, but more than that, my fellow Americans were relieved — relieved to have endured 200 years of tyranny, enslavement, wars, and disease and come out on the better side of humanity. Generations of people from all over the world had come together decade after decade, now century after century, contributing to what would one day be this moment in time, no one person left out of this history made from a stew of liberties, oppression, will, weakness, and determination.

While the "Star Spangled Banner" is primarily an acknowledgement of our flag's survival through battle, it is the essence of that which we should be celebrating — our own survival, thriving, strong backs, bravery, fortitude, and love. The flag still waves on poles across the nation because it's made out of synthetic fibers that resist flame and weather. We the people are still able to wave them because we are made from the surest stock of every country on the planet.

I read in the papers and see the stories on TV of those who are forever looking, finding, and/or providing the easiest ways out of working, providing, contributing, and being someone that would reflect accurately on the massive gene pool whence they came. I feel discouraged and not so patriotic. It is especially disheartening to see citizens pitted against each other, having chosen this or having been manipulated into it. Then I remember the days my husband and thousands of other Marines disembarked and I remember that day in Cessna Stadium.

It's good to be American. It's great to know why.

Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues

Nights in white satin/ Never reaching the end/ Letters I've written/ Never meaning to send.
Beauty I'd always missed/ With these eyes before/ Just what the truth is/ I cant say anymore.
'Cause I love you/ Yes, I love you/ Oh, how, I love you.

Gazing at people/ Some hand in hand/ Just what I'm going thru/ They can understand.
Some try to tell me/ Thoughts they cannot defend/ Just what you want to be/ You will be in the end,
Nights in white satin/ Never reaching the end/ Letters I've written/ Never meaning to send.
Beauty I'd always missed/ With these eyes before/ Just what the truth is/ I cant say anymore.