Dear United States of America,

Two hundred and fifty years is nothing to sneeze at and today we celebrate your big birthday. And you should be celebrated for lasting this long. It hasn’t been easy to get this far…there’s been bright shining times and dark, bleak times; times of struggles and prosperity, but through it all, you’ve held strong and persevered.

You were created by generations of people that had dreams and hopes and worked hard to form a nation like no other. They were brave men and women that stood up for what they believed in and were willing to fight and die for those beliefs. The ones that signed their names to the document we call The Declaration of Independence were maybe the bravest of them all because they were gambling everything on the dedication and endurance of the American people.

You started out small with 13 colonies and have grown into an amazing 50 states along with 14 Territories that belong to you. All who fly the beautiful Stars and Stripes proudly.

From the very beginning, your sons and daughters have shed their blood for the freedom and safety of the citizens of this great land. It’s not something to be taken lightly or forgotten. You’ve weathered uprisings, conflicts, and wars within your boundaries. You’ve protected and stood up for others in the world when they needed it. Given a helping hand and shared your wealth throughout the world.

You are made up of some of the most breathtaking vistas in the world. From the beaches that border your lands to the mountains that rise tall, with hills, lakes, and prairies scattered throughout, you provide a vast array of beautiful places for your people to live and play. You are filled with wonders…Redwoods rising majestically in California, the roaring Falls of Niagara in New York, the vastness of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and the spewing of Old Faithful in Wyoming, just to mention a few. There are so.many.more. The Great Lakes of the north, the swamps and bayous of the south, the deserts and oases of the west, and caves and rocky shores of the east are just a part of what makes up this amazing land. Your rivers and lakes are full of fish and creatures found nowhere else on earth, the meadows and forests are home to countless varieties of wildlife, and a multitude of gorgeous flowers and birds brighten the landscape throughout. You are blessed to have an unparalleled National Park System that preserves and protects so many of these amazing areas.

You’ve birthed poets and painters, warriors and explorers, inventors and innovators, authors, scientists, teachers, leaders, preachers, actors and singers, athletes, businessmen, and everything in between. So many that have made an impact not only within your boundaries, but in the world. But let’s not forget the ones that haven’t become household names…the everyday people…the factory workers, the coal miners, the shopkeepers, the street sweepers, the many, many men and women who have made this country great just by going about their everyday lives. They were and are living it as best they can, making their little corner of the world a better place just by being in it. THIS is one of your greatest strengths, America. The everyday people that love you and their neighbors and get up every day no matter what and contribute to your good.

You’ve been a beacon of light and liberty and freedom for people of all nations from the very beginning, America. You continue to be so as evidenced by the number of people that want to come here and chase their dreams.

As wonderful as you are, America, you are not perfect. Like anything, you have your weaknesses and warts. You have made mistakes and had trials that seemed unending. Sometimes, that is all we, your people, see and we get down on you, when we should be celebrating your strengths. Don’t get me wrong, when something is broken, we need to fix it. Try to improve on those weaknesses and warts. But also remember and concentrate on the good things, too.

There’s no doubt it’s been a tumultuous 250 years. But through it all, there’s been hope. Hope for the future; hope that the ideals and dreams of the Founding Fathers would win out and the fledging nation they created would continue on and become better.

My roots run deep in this land of liberty. My ancestors fought and died for this young nation, their blood soaking into the soil as they fought for something greater than themselves. They were a few of many that did so. I was raised with and still adhere to the values of God, family, country. I am thankful that I live where I can worship my God and love my family and country freely.

I am happy and proud to call you home, America.

Today we celebrate a mighty milestone many thought we’d never achieve. May you continue to grow and get better every day. May God bless you and the people that make you. Long may the eagles soar over your great land and your flag fly high. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love,

A Proud American

” I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God Bless the U.S.A. ” Lee Greenwood