Thanksgiving in July

This weekend, on July 4, many of us in the United States celebrate Independence Day. It is typically festive, replete with parades, picnics, gatherings, speeches, and breathtaking fireworks. I feel very lucky, as I was given the choice and opportunity to become an American citizen, and with that, a life that was open to fulfilling goals and dreams. These feelings of gratitude define my view of the power of freedom of choice, and particularly, the importance of always remembering that this freedom was not, is not, and will never be free.

So, this weekend, I celebrate a personal Thanksgiving. I am specifically thankful for those Americans who have stood and now stand at the gates of danger, in and out of uniform, as guardians of this freedom. They will not enjoy parades, picnics, gatherings, speeches and breathtaking fireworks. In fact, they often face hostile fire on our behalf. I do not comment this weekend on whether what they are asked to do is right or wrong, or why they personally chose this role, because to do so is a distraction to my feelings of respect for their sacrifices.

When we say privately or in unison, God Bless America, I hope we think of and express heartfelt thanks for all these Americans.