The Fourth of July is a great time to think about what it means to be an American and why we value our independence and freedom, more importantly what we need to do to protect them. We have all heard the song, “God Bless the U.S.A.” (aka Proud to be an American). Personally it doesn’t really speak to me, sometimes it even makes me a little sad. So I thought I would change it a little to give it a personal and wistful touch.
So many things are gone we’ve worked for all our lives,
And we’ve had to build again just to overcome our strife.
Still I wave the stars and stripes, and am proud of what they say,
`Cause our nation stands for freedom which we won’t let fade away.
And I’m proud to be an American, where we still strive to be free.
And I think about the men who die, to give that right to me.
And I’d gladly speak out loud with you to defend us all today.
`Cause there ain’t no doubt we love this land God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:
And I’m proud to be an American, where we still strive to be free.
And I think about the men who die, to give that right to me.
And I’d gladly speak out, loud with you to defend us all today.
`Cause there ain’t no doubt we love this land God bless the U.S.A.