America, it's the people that make it great!

My little buddy telling me "Flag".

Yesterday I saw a post from one of my friends saying he was "embarrassed" to be American.  Others commented about how America is no longer a great country.    The comments digressed into the current election about the candidates, etc.  I was completely disheartened by the original post as well as the subsequent comments.  Because they are wrong.  America is still great!  Sure we have flaws as a country and individually, but together united we still are the greatest country in the world.  I believe it wholeheartedly.  

Being United is what I would like to mention, we need to once again be UNITED.  Do you remember in the hours, days and weeks right after the 9/11 attacks?  We came together as a country and stood together as Americans.  We loved our neighbors, friends, co-workers, even when they were Democrats and Republicans.  None of that mattered, we were all united as one.  Since that time we have seen a great divide yes, that is true.  Each side is unrelenting in battering the other.  That is not what we are about.  We are about being American's.  We are nice to our fellow-man.  Let's get back to that!  Let's get back to being civil to one another.  It is too big of an undertaking all at once, but let's at least be civil to our circle of influence.  Our Family, Our Neighbors, Our Co-Workers!  Stop dividing America and instead work at Uniting!  The attack in Orlando should be a reminder and another wake-up call.  It can happen on our own door-steps.  But instead of assigning blame and pointing fingers, let's once again Unite and be the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA again!

As I was thinking about writing this post, I remembered a post I wrote for Independence Day 2013.  I have copied it and included it below.  Won't you please read and make your goal to show that America is still great? 

America, it's the people that make it great!

I have great neighbors!  This past winter on multiple occasions, while clearing their drive and walk ways, they came over and did mine as well.  Can't tell them how much it was appreciated.

I feel it necessary to point out that my neighbor that did this is not someone who has full function of his legs.  As a matter of fact he spends a great deal of time in a wheel chair.  He is a real inspiration and a Great Person and American.

Last week my coworker shared a story of meeting a guy in the check out line.  Her son had saved his pennies, dimes, and birthday money to buy himself a new bike.  While standing in line, they were talking with the gentleman in front of them, he being impressed with her son and his desire to buy his own bike, pulled $20 out of his pocket and handed it to my co worker's son.  They asked the gentleman's name because they wanted to send him a thank you note.  He ignored their question and apparently wanted to remain anonymous.  There are still good people in this world!

Earlier this week I woke up to the news that 19 Firefighters had lost their life fighting a blaze in the next state.  I am in awe of such great people willing to put their life on the line to protect land and people that more than likely they don't even know.

I grew up with a father in Law-Enforcement and now I have two brothers in the same field.  How lucky are we to have people who spend their time being hated by community and people at large.  Yet they go to work and put their butts on the line to save yours!  So, you get pissed because they gave you a ticket for speeding.  How pissed would you be if they were not there to slow people down and someone speeding killed one of your family members?  Yes, you live in a country where you have the freedom to not love law enforcement, count that as a freedom and blessing.  But count as double blessings that we live in a country where people voluntarily take these jobs!

Last night I spent a little over an hour in a First Aid "Refresher Course".  The ladies instructing the course had volunteered their time to come out and teach us.  What great people to spend their time helping a bunch of us slack-jawed yokels remember what to do in an emergency situation.  Not to mention them spending their own time to learn it in the first place!  Most importantly so grateful for people that do this as a living, not being a person that likes anything even bloody, we are so lucky to have these EMT's and first responders who willing choose to help others.  I am certain many of you have heard my story about driving home from Canada a few years back and we were the first on the scene of a roll-over accident where someone was ejected from the vehicle.  The person on the other end of the line as I called for help not only had to decipher our exact location through my ramblings, but also had to help calm me down!

The US Soldier, bravely serving.  Leaving their spouse and family behind, not know if they will ever see them again.  AND the sacrifice made by these families, letting their loved ones go to serve.  (I know this is inadequate, but I just have the hardest time find the right words to honor and respect these amazing and selfless people.)

Last Christmas I showed up at one of our local stores in need of last minute Christmas presents for our coworkers.  I had originally made different plans for their presents but when those fell through I walked into their store in a panic.  I told them what I needed and how quickly I needed them.  They spent the next several minutes helping me to locate the items, box and wrap them.  All at no additional cost, but because they wanted to be helpful and helpful they were!

A week ago, I took my niece on a tour of my Alma Mater.  Every last person we spoke with not just on campus but the community as a whole was warm and inviting.  Sharing smiles, friendship or just simply a hello.  I had friends that took time out of their day to assist in our needs and answer questions for us and offer guidance.

The people I work with are incredible!  In both word and deed they are constantly doing nice things for me and each other.  These great people are just a representation of all the goodness in the world.  There are so many people that do good deeds for others, taking dinners to neighbors, helping strangers move, raising funds for sick people, donating coats to the homeless, friends helping friends wash walls, strangers showing up to help flood victims bucket water out of their basement.  I just asked my co-workers of random acts of kindness they had seen or heard about, my ears were immediately filled with stories of people performing kind deeds for them and others.  In a matter of a few minutes, I heard more than 20 examples, these stories filled my heart and mind with confidence about the things that truly make America Great. 

I am certain there are hundreds and hundreds of examples and stories that I have, I am confident that each of you have just as many if not more.  It is the people, the minds, the devotion and the selfless service, love and sacrifice of all of us, Americans, that make this country great!

Happy Independence day my fellow Americans, may you always be you and continue to make our country great!