Holidays are about family, about tradition, about what makes us, us. In the spirit of our nation’s birthday and in the spirit of family, I want to share an editorial written by my aunt, Jean Albert:

This is the Fourth of July. Let the parade begin. Let the music ring and the fireworks flare. This is a day with meaning for all Americans – just us. Not the rest of the world. Not “global.”

It’s so confusing to be a melting pot. Yes, we must let all people have freedom. That is what makes us the greatest country on earth. But how far is too far? What, if allowed, will be the downfall of us all? Climbing a wall? Digging a tunnel? Setting up sniper spots in our beautiful hills? I believe that the key to our American melting pot is to be something for the good of all, all who love and live in this land, all who are Americans at heart.

When I was a child, I lived in the center of Chicago. It was an ethnic section, this triangle of land between Grand Avenue, Cicero Avenue and Armitage. It was the city’s Cragan District that you sometimes hear mentioned on the nightly news for its Chicago-style police force and politicians. But it was a good place to live then. It was full of families who worked hard for a living, who picnicked in Black Hawk Park, ice skated in the playground pond of Lloyd school and housed usually three generations together to form the family. We sat on the front porch to watch the lightening bugs, and played ball in the corner “prairie.” We cried together if a gold star was put up in someone’s window. We gave our grocery list to Mr. Walenjebitz behind the counter of the store around the block and up two steps. We cut through the neighbor’s yard when the dog wasn’t out. And we, as a neighborhood, stood vigil outside a home while Nona drew her last breath. Yes, there was the feel of a neighborhood, people caring and sharing, people who knew who they were and were proud of it.

This was the time of the generation who fought the Big War for our country and our flag. And yet, this neighborhood was a blend of “foreigners.” Johnny Gallo and his Italian family had the big gray stone house. The Steinkes, all the aunts and uncles, too, lived together in the two-flat. They were Germans, and the war was on. But they were our friends. They had American hearts. Two doors down were the Borowskis, a Polish family whose Grandma was so proud to be an American that she would not teach her grandchildren to speak her native language, even though our words were hard for her to use and comprehend.

These families came not so many years before seeking a better way of life. Mine came from England and Scotland. They came leaving the old behind and embracing the new. They were the wonder ingredient that truly made our nation strong, because they wanted what this country was offering; they wanted to be a part of it.

Something has changed through the years. People come here now, not to become a citizen and an American, but to get our education and earn our money, yet not wanting to be a part of U.S.

Something has changed too, in the grassroots of our politics. Politicians from top to bottom seem to care more about self, money, power or fame than they care for the common good of the American people. They don’t remember who they work for.

Many of our citizens today have never experienced a Kosovo in their own personal life. Many are citizens who were never called upon to relinquish all home and property in a land like Korea in order to be on the right side of an imaginary line. Many don’t even comprehend what it takes to have the love and loyalty for country that the people before us lived out. If our citizens had the stirrings in their heart, as these people did, stirrings of patriotism, concern for fellowman, an honest view of what is honorable, we wouldn’t have students expelled for wearing a T-shirt of our flag, or flag burnings, or a president who threatens to give away our treasure of citizenship to people who break our laws.

A true American honors our country and all that it stands for. Who would burn the very symbol of the love of our country? A love that was seen in the fireworks of the battlefields, the grills that today can cook up food for the world, the freedom of vacation days to stand in awe of the words written near the ceiling of our nation’s capitol building and a pride in America that reaches from shore to shining shore.

Happy Birthday, America! Thank you for the freedom and opportunity to be who we are so that we can become all that we can be. Some people may think America’s sun has set. Some may believe we can no longer lead the world. We can! We will! Keep the faith. Keep the peace. We shall overcome.

Owens teaches history, political science and religion for Southside Virginia Community College and history for the American Public University System. http://drrobertowens.com © 2010 Robert R. Owens dr.owens@comcast.net