Independence Day, 2011

Funny thing, I was never ultra patriotic or anything, but this year I am doing much soul searching and maybe getting older has something to do with it.
I find that I am very proud of my son who served in special forces for years and finally retired from the Military. I remember how fearful and disappointed I was when at the age of 19 he told me he was joining the Navy. I was one of those people who protested our involvement in Vietnam, and I never thought that he would chose the military. I thought that he would never be able to take any type of authority since we always fought with one another. In fact I know he joined to get away from the bad neighborhood we lived in, and our rocky relationship.  Well, that was over 25 years ago, and he did make the Military a career.
After 911, I like many others felt a renewed sense of pride in this country. I may not have agreed with political decisions, but I was so very proud of all those who were resilent and fought to keep us safe. Seeing the oppression of women in other countries made me realize just how lucky we are here in the US!
This year more than others I feel a great sense of pride to be living in the USA.