That is wonderful news and more of a reason to celebrate independence this 4th of July! Now we can truly celebrate true colors that don't run by not having to hide who we are. I am looking forward to watching the beautiful fireworks and enjoying some good food with family and friends to this 4th. Peace and blessings to all of you happy independence day VTL members!

I was out of the country for a few days so I missed this post. I want to post an essay I wrote for last year's 4th of July:

A Proud American

July has always been an important month in American history. We celebrate our nation’s birthday on July 4th. In that particular day we celebrate our nation and express our pride for forming part of it. And I feel happy that I live in the city where it all got started.

I love the 4th of July. I enjoy it every year by seeing the fireworks in Penns Landing or by just staying around my block and chatting with my neighbors while observing more local fireworks. Every year I make sure I do something representative of my Americanism. Sometimes I attend parades or watch them on TV, or walk around town and form part of the festive atmosphere, and sometimes I just walk around Independence Hall taking pictures of the special decorations. Occasionally I post some of my pictures in my Flickr account.

This year however, I have been thinking more about the proud American part of the whole thing than the celebration part. Am I proud, I mean really proud of being American? And if I am, what am I proud of? Take away the parades, the fireworks, and the gatherings with my neighbors. What do I have without any of that? Do I still have something to feel proud of? Well, as a matter of fact, yes, and plenty.
I am the kind of person who carries his pride all year round. I show it by my never ending advocacy, education and other things I do to make both my and my fellow American citizens’ lives a little better. July 4th to me is more than just celebrating our country’s birthday. It’s definitely more than a reason to socialize during the hotter weather moth of July. I feel proud of the progress, the diversity, and the many liberties that now we have, some of which came at a high price. I can celebrate that through the year. I have actively contributed in one way or another to make my family and my community, better, stronger, and safer.

Today we certainly enjoy the liberties and freedoms that the founders of our country had in mind when the Declaration of Independence was conceived. Yet, the progress must continue. I know that overall as a nation, we face challenges to freedoms and rights, and we still have to defend and work hard to maintain those that we already have. And that’s where I see my role as an advocate and educator. And I personally make sure that I do not forget about that through the whole year. My rights and responsibilities as a citizen, matter every day of the year, not just one day in July.

As I watch TV and/or surf the Internet, I read interesting articles, watch news and shows with beautiful choreographies as well as very colorful fireworks throughout the country, all with the purpose of celebrating who we are as a nation. In the parades, I see many organizations that have pioneered better protection of human rights, remembering courageous people who sometimes risk (even lost) their lives to protect our freedoms. Of course, there’s a lot of company endorsements and advertisings too. And I love it all. It all makes me feel even more proud.

What about you? Do you feel proud? How has this American fiscal year been for you? Do you have reasons to feel proud? Have you done your part during the year, so you can really have something to celebrate? Have you been a responsible citizen by showing that you really care about the country you are celebrating? Do things like exercising your right to vote, recycling, or preventing crime matter to you? They should.

Take away the parades, the music, the marches, the fireworks, and the alcohol (anything heavier, please take away forever). Just you, the American guy or gal. Look at you. You can still celebrate the times we’re living. Or celebrate you, just you. Your very existence and presence in this country as a free American citizen matters. It matters a lot, and it’s plenty of reason to celebrate.

One of my favorite sayings is that the best of being a man is being an American man. That’s how proud I am. That’s how proud we all should be. Happy birthday America!