As a Vietnam Veteran, I have a unique perspective on Independence Day, a holiday that celebrates our nation’s birth and its enduring promise of freedom. On July 4, we commemorate the passage of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a momentous event where the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain​.
Independence Day is a day of patriotism, of pride in our nation and its foundational principles. Yet patriotism, as we understand it, is not about blind loyalty or uncritical support for a country or its elected officials. As veterans, we know the difference between true patriotism and hollow nationalism. True patriotism lies in the continued quest to find a more perfect union, a commitment to the ideals encapsulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States​​.
The principles that bind us as a nation—freedom, equality, justice, and opportunity— are what we, as veterans, have been prepared to defend. It is about loving our country not for its power or wealth, but for its selflessness and idealism. This sense of devotion to country is not about misleading slogans and empty gestures but about ideals and the hope that this nation can serve as an example to the rest of the world​​.
Yet, as we celebrate, we must also remember the responsibility that comes with this freedom. Our forefathers knew that the union they were forming was not perfect, but they believed in the possibility of making it “more perfect” with each passing year. They envisioned a nation that belonged to “we the people” – not to the government or political parties​​.
Independence Day serves as a reminder of our duty to protect this vision and to correct our nation when it strays from its path. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “I criticize America because I love her. I want her to stand as a moral example to the world”​​. We acknowledge our nation’s imperfections, we admit our mistakes and strive to atone for them. This too, is a patriotic act.
As a Vietnam veteran, my experiences have taught me to value freedom, to understand the weight of service, and to appreciate the continual pursuit of a more perfect union. On this Independence Day, let us not just celebrate our freedom but also remember our responsibility to uphold the ideals of our nation and to continue striving for that perfect union our forefathers dreamed of so long ago​.
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, let us remember the courage, the sacrifice, and the vision that birthed this nation. Let’s continue to strive for a more perfect union, for ourselves, for our children, and for the generations yet to come. For we are not only celebrating a moment in history but a promise, a promise of freedom, equality, and the pursuit of happiness that has been the beating heart of our nation for nearly two and a half centuries.
Happy Independence Day to you all, and let freedom ring! But for individuals on dialysis reading this, NEVER RING THE BELL!
Excellent!