It’s Independence Day here in the USA. For most people here that means picnics, barbecues, fireworks, and a long weekend. Some of us may also take a moment to think about what it means to live in this country.

I’m not usually a flag-waving patriot type, however I do believe in what our country ultimately stands for, and I know I am lucky to have been born here and to have the opportunities, advantages, and freedoms I have.

When I was in 4th grade, as a prelude to the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, Illinois grade and high school students submitted essays answering the question, “What is the Spirit of ‘76?” I was 9 years old at the time and like everyone else in my class I wrote an essay on the topic. Some time later I was notified that I’d come in 11th of the several hundred thousand submitted. So I just missed being in the top 10, but was still thrilled that mine was considered so good.

I even got a plaque, which includes my essay and which I recently had sent back to Tucson (along with 10 boxes of my other stuff) from my parents’ home in the Chicago area. I thought I’d post it here.
My mom typed it, but I wrote it. Keep in mind I was 9 years old.

The “Spirit of ‘76″ is being independent and not being ruled by another country. It is having the courage to try things that have never been done before. It is that courage that helped us win our freedom from England.

The Spirit of ‘76 means being tolerant. It means respecting all people for what they are, even if they’re different than other people.

The Spirit of ‘76 will help us in the future if people use their freedoms wisely. It will help by having peace instead of war for that is the “Spirit of ‘76.”

The Spirit of ‘76 means being honest and truthful to others.

Having freedom isn’t being able to do anything you want because there are still laws and rules that must be obeyed. It is being free from the ruling of other countries. Having freedom is being able to choose your own school, temple or church.

The “Spirit of ‘76″ is having freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. We should use our freedoms wisely, or we may not always have them.

So that’s about all I have to say on the topic, and then I’ll be off to finish some business projects so I can go enjoy some gourmet vegan party food with my friends.

I’ll close with this excerpt from Little Steven’s “I Am A Patriot” (also recorded by Jackson Browne):

And the river opens for the righteous, someday

I was walking with my brother
And he wondered what was on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
It ain’t what I see with my eyes
And we can’t turn our backs this time

I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my country
Is all I know

And I ain’t no communist
And I ain’t no capitalist
And I ain’t no socialist
And I sure ain’t no imperialist
And I ain’t no democrat
And I sure ain’t no republican neither
And I only know one party
And it’s name is freedom

Listen to me
I am, I am, I am … I am a patriot.

And the river opens for the righteous…someday…