What does Independence Day / Being An American mean to you?

[TRAGChick]

THIS should get interesting....

For me, being an American means that you can speak your mind Artistically, or Otherwise.....which leads to a meeting of the minds
OR all-out shouting matches.

Either way, we can learn something from each other.

STAY SAFE, YOU ALL! CHEERS!! \~/

[portland]

Happy 4th....we are free and should be thankful for it.


Be safe all.....and enjoy your own fireworks!!!

[Jeremey]

For me, being an American, and what it means to me, is the ability to boundlessly pursue your dreams. Sure, there may be obstacles in the way, and it's a tough fucking row to hoe, but I'll tell you what....There's a reason why we stand head and shoulders above the rest of the world when it comes to making your way in the world. Do what you do. Thank that big guy in the sky for putting you here in the USA for the opportunity that we all have to be heard. I don't give a shit if you're a factory worker in Michigan, a fisherman in Louisiana, or an attorney in San Diego, thank your lucky fuckin' stars that you opened your eyes on your birthday and saw those amber waves of grain swaying in the breeze....Dream your dreams, America. For all our faults, troubles, and doubts, there is nowhere else on earth to stand up and stake your claim.

[portland]

For me, being an American, and what it means to me, is the ability to boundlessly pursue your dreams. Sure, there may be obstacles in the way, and it's a tough fucking row to hoe, but I'll tell you what....There's a reason why we stand head and shoulders above the rest of the world when it comes to making your way in the world. Do what you do. Thank that big guy in the sky for putting you here in the USA for the opportunity that we all have to be heard. I don't give a shit if you're a factory worker in Michigan, a fisherman in Louisiana, or an attorney in San Diego, thank your lucky fuckin' stars that you opened your eyes on your birthday and saw those amber waves of grain swaying in the breeze....Dream your dreams, America. For all our faults, troubles, and doubts, there is nowhere else on earth to stand up and stake your claim.

Well said..we all have hopes and dreams!!!

It's up to us to make them happen....rock on Jeremey!

[Babyblue]

For me, being an American, and what it means to me, is the ability to boundlessly pursue your dreams. Sure, there may be obstacles in the way, and it's a tough fucking row to hoe, but I'll tell you what....There's a reason why we stand head and shoulders above the rest of the world when it comes to making your way in the world. Do what you do. Thank that big guy in the sky for putting you here in the USA for the opportunity that we all have to be heard. I don't give a shit if you're a factory worker in Michigan, a fisherman in Louisiana, or an attorney in San Diego, thank your lucky fuckin' stars that you opened your eyes on your birthday and saw those amber waves of grain swaying in the breeze....Dream your dreams, America. For all our faults, troubles, and doubts, there is nowhere else on earth to stand up and stake your claim.

Amen!!!!

Happy 4th Of July Everyone & please be safe.

[Jana]

the great neal schon: Star-Spangled Banner;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-BknAz9 ... =1&index=6

[portland]

the great neal schon: Star Spangled Banner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssFi4y8YgS4

Rock on.....Liberty...enough said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNonRyV-rF0

[Jana]

the great neal schon: Star Spangled Banner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssFi4y8YgS4

Rock on.....Liberty...enough said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNonRyV-rF0

Actually it was this version I meant to post of Neal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-BknAz9 ... =1&index=6

[squirt1]

To me it means that my father did not get shot 3 separate times in France fighting the Hitler Germans for nothing. Today, is another agenda and it scares me.

[Sarah]

For me, freedom of speech is most important. We're free to be critical of our government and free to speak our minds about most things as long as they're not slanderous. And the "melting pot" of cultures keeps shaping and reshaping the US just like it has since day 1 and I also think that's amazing, you won't find it in any other country.

I think there are a lot of problems with the US right now but there's also a lot to be grateful for

[Michigan Girl]

For me, being an American, and what it means to me, is the ability to boundlessly pursue your dreams. Sure, there may be obstacles in the way, and it's a tough fucking row to hoe, but I'll tell you what....There's a reason why we stand head and shoulders above the rest of the world when it comes to making your way in the world. Do what you do. Thank that big guy in the sky for putting you here in the USA for the opportunity that we all have to be heard. I don't give a shit if you're a factory worker in Michigan, a fisherman in Louisiana, or an attorney in San Diego, thank your lucky fuckin' stars that you opened your eyes on your birthday and saw those amber waves of grain swaying in the breeze....Dream your dreams, America. For all our faults, troubles, and doubts, there is nowhere else on earth to stand up and stake your claim.

awww, my two favorite states ...It's great that musicians are free do their thang in All of them ...

Nice ^^^^

[Deb]

Rock on.....Liberty...enough said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNonRyV-rF0

Love that one!

[artist4perry]

J hit the nail on the head. It is the land where we are free to express and be whatever we have hopes and dreams to be. Opportunity is there, you just have to strive for it. You also have the freedom to fail but grow in the trying. We women are not subject to arranged marriages, beatings on the streets if our coverings slip, genital mutilation, and we can vote our own choices.

I can thank God in my own way, and worship as I please as long as I don't inflict harm on others. I can be an old crank, a witch, a sweet person, a total idiot, a brain, a clutz, a nerd, or a hero.

I am proud to be an American. I am proud of those who serve my country well. I am proud of this wonderful land of ours.

Dreams are possible here. Hope is possible here. Imagination is free to grow here. May our great nation keep its hopes, dreams, and wishes alive. For we are a melting pot, a blend of many nations brought together as one. The best of so many wonderful cultures and ideals. We are one but many. We are all Americans.

They're coming to America..........TODAY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwo4eZ-MF10

[artist4perry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii0b2rpXJ5s

They're Comin to America

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America

Home,
Don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home,
to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America

They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country 'tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today!

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

America- the right NOT to listen to Neal DIamond. And I'd fight to the death to keep it that way.

No seriously, my grandfather was stationed on the USS Merriwhether, during WWII in the Pacific . As a war vet and VFW member, my grandfather was in charge of putting out flags on main street . When I stayed with thim on a holiday, memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, presidents day, he would have me get up at 5:30 am in the morning with about 75 American flags in the back of his truck. First time I had this look on my face like I really dont want to be up dong this. Then after an hour of putting out Old Glory he told me: I'm glad I am able to get up and put these flags out. Sadly I had shipmates in the War who would love to be able to do it, but they cant ,because they are lying in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, all so we could have our way of life. I gotta say, I looked forward to getting up at 5:30 every holiday from that day forward- and of course those times where in my head when I followed in my grandads footsteps and grew up and spend a number of great years in the US Navy!

[artist4perry]

America- the right NOT to listen to Neal DIamond. And I'd fight to the death to keep it that way.

No seriously, my grandfather was stationed on the USS Merriwhether, during WWII in the Pacific . As a war vet and VFW member, my grandfather was in charge of putting out flags on main street . When I stayed with thim on a holiday, memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, presidents day, he would have me get up at 5:30 am in the morning with about 75 American flags in the back of his truck. First time I had this look on my face like I really dont want to be up dong this. Then after an hour of putting out Old Glory he told me: I'm glad I am able to get up and put these flags out. Sadly I had shipmates in the War who would love to be able to do it, but they cant ,because they are lying in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, all so we could have our way of life. I gotta say, I looked forward to getting up at 5:30 every holiday from that day forward- and of course those times where in my head when I followed in my grandads footsteps and grew up and spend a number of great years in the US Navy!

We have ways of making you listen..................

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

America- the right NOT to listen to Neal DIamond. And I'd fight to the death to keep it that way.

No seriously, my grandfather was stationed on the USS Merriwhether, during WWII in the Pacific . As a war vet and VFW member, my grandfather was in charge of putting out flags on main street . When I stayed with thim on a holiday, memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, presidents day, he would have me get up at 5:30 am in the morning with about 75 American flags in the back of his truck. First time I had this look on my face like I really dont want to be up dong this. Then after an hour of putting out Old Glory he told me: I'm glad I am able to get up and put these flags out. Sadly I had shipmates in the War who would love to be able to do it, but they cant ,because they are lying in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, all so we could have our way of life. I gotta say, I looked forward to getting up at 5:30 every holiday from that day forward- and of course those times where in my head when I followed in my grandads footsteps and grew up and spend a number of great years in the US Navy!

We have ways of making you listen..................

no chance , another gift the US Navy provided me with was the opportunity to attend SERE school (survival ,evasion and resistance) .Upon completion of the course, you would be able to avoid capture by the enemy, surive POW camp and successfully avoid having to listen to Art Garfunkel and Neil Diamond.
I'm a trained unit- no Diamond for me.!

[artist4perry]

America- the right NOT to listen to Neal DIamond. And I'd fight to the death to keep it that way.

No seriously, my grandfather was stationed on the USS Merriwhether, during WWII in the Pacific . As a war vet and VFW member, my grandfather was in charge of putting out flags on main street . When I stayed with thim on a holiday, memorial day, veterans day, fourth of July, presidents day, he would have me get up at 5:30 am in the morning with about 75 American flags in the back of his truck. First time I had this look on my face like I really dont want to be up dong this. Then after an hour of putting out Old Glory he told me: I'm glad I am able to get up and put these flags out. Sadly I had shipmates in the War who would love to be able to do it, but they cant ,because they are lying in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, all so we could have our way of life. I gotta say, I looked forward to getting up at 5:30 every holiday from that day forward- and of course those times where in my head when I followed in my grandads footsteps and grew up and spend a number of great years in the US Navy!

We have ways of making you listen..................

no chance , another gift the US Navy provided me with was the opportunity to attend SERE school (survival ,evasion and resistance) .Upon completion of the course, you would be able to avoid capture by the enemy, surive POW camp and successfully avoid having to listen to Art Garfunkel and Neil Diamond.
I'm a trained unit- no Diamond for me.!

[G.I.Jim]

To me it humbles me to think of the men and women who have given their lives, or been seriously injured to keep this a free nation. As a recruiter, I have to think about the fact that everyone I enlist has a chance of being deployed. I spoke with a family yesterday who's son (not someone I enlisted) just came back from Iraq and he was shot in the back. The bullet caused a good portion of one of his lungs to be removed. They said he didn't mind it, or regret it at all. That's a hero to me, and I'm very thankful for his service.

His parents said he was on the way to a hospital to visit 2 friends he was deployed with, and that both of them had their feet blown off by an IED. I HATE to think about that, but at least they're still alive. Thank God for these men and women. If not for them, we'd probably be speaking German, Russian, or Chinese right now. I'm proud to be an American.

[Michigan Girl]

To me it humbles me to think of the men and women who have given their lives, or been seriously injured to keep this a free nation. As a recruiter, I have to think about the fact that everyone I enlist has a chance of being deployed. I spoke with a family yesterday who's son (not someone I enlisted) just came back from Iraq and he was shot in the back. The bullet caused a good portion of one of his lungs to be removed. They said he didn't mind it, or regret it at all. That's a hero to me, and I'm very thankful for his service.

His parents said he was on the way to a hospital to visit 2 friends he was deployed with, and that both of them had their feet blown off by an IED. I HATE to think about that, but at least they're still alive. Thank God for these men and women. If not for them, we'd probably be speaking German, Russian, or Chinese right now. I'm proud to be an American.

Nice!!
Thank God!!