"My Country Tis Of Thee"

My brother called me this week to tell me he had gone to a swearing in ceremony for a friend of his. His friend is from England and had applied to be a US citizen. It had taken a while but he had finally taken the test and now was going to be sworn in as a citizen. I knew this had been in the works but didn't think my brother was all that thrilled about sitting through such a ceremony.

When he called me he said he was glad he had been invited, as it was one of the most impressive events he had ever attended. It was held in Tampa, Florida and from what my brother reported there were a large number of people being sworn in. He said that one of the most exciting moments occurred when they read off the list of countries from which people had come to apply for citizenship. It was a long list and showed just how much of a melting pot America still is.

I could tell from his comments that my brother had been touched by this all, and while listening to him tell all about the ceremony I was impressed as well. I hope that someday I get a chance to view such a ceremony, and I think it would be good if we all did. Those of us who were born with American citizenship seem to take the whole thing for granted.

Plus I think that lately we hear only the negative about our country. The politicians and the news reporters seem to revel in their ability to tell us just what is wrong with America. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think our country is perfect but I do think it is pretty dadgum good. If not why would so many people want to come here legally or illegally.

I can remember when I used to get a lump in my throat whenever I heard the national anthem. I heard it a lot when I was a member of the Air Force and each and every time it made me feel proud to be an American. Now I only hear it at ballgames and don't have the same response I once did. It has become a song that delays the starting of the game. Most of the attending fans and the players just look bored and very few sing along.

Each day I get up and live my life taking for granted the safety I enjoy, the benefits that come from a free enterprise system, the security I have in attending my church. I am not persecuted for my values or my beliefs and I can vote or not vote for whomever I want. These are just everyday freedoms and rights that have become commonplace.

After "9/11" patriotism was at a high level. I can still remember how it felt in those days after the worst event in our nation's history. But time goes on and memories fade. We got back into our routines and the surge of patriotism went back into the backs of our minds.

Maybe we all just need a makeup test in citizenship. Maybe we should have to renew it like a driver's license. Maybe then we would get back some of the respect for our privileged life in the land of the free. And maybe some of us would flunk. Think about that!
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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