Today, July 4, 2009, a day that shall live in all (well, some of our hearts)! Yes, this is almost an exclusively American day of Independence. I say almost because there is only one other country in this entire world which celebrates this day as a day of freedom from tyranny and injustice. However, let us not lose sight of our reason for celebration. Of course, I am speaking of a modern reason for celebration...not having to go to a job we hate; not having to struggle with traffic jams on the way to and from the office; not having to face a boss for whom you have little to no respect; and finally, not having to compete with your fellow man for the most recent status symbol. Perhaps, the genuine reason for celebration and remembering our "roots" has been lost to so many Americans during this most recent economic crisis.
Today, I continued my tradition of sitting down to enjoy a movie printed in black and white and starring James Cagney. The title of the film, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is an American Classic film in which all the elements of patriotism are brought to the fore in this remarkable film. The true story of George Michael Cohan, composer; producer; lyricist; and American Extraordinaire espouses the virtue of strength of character and hard work and never giving in to despair regardless of obstacles. This film never fails to remind me of the reasons this country was so exceptional for so many years. Americans, the ilk of Mr. George M. Cohan, made this country and its people proud to be Americans more so than any fad or following. This film also re-creates that feeling of pride for one's country, but more than that...pride for being a citizen of that country. So this is truly the one day in which we, as Americans, can become jingoistic with respect to those enumerable freedoms and opportunities we, of late, have come to take for granted. I know, it is the faith in those freedoms which create individuals as George M. Cohan, American, and permit them to rise above others in order to shine as one of the fifty white stars on a field of blue. Today, I am proud to be an American, but more importantly, I am proud to be an American on every other day. God Bless America! The saga continues....
Saturday, July 4, 2009
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