My parents instilled in me a great many things during my growing up years.  Aside from showing me the way to salvation, one of the greatest values was a love for my country.  They taught me to care for The Star Spangled Banner, our flag which stands for freedom.  They showed me America, The Beautiful land of infinite opportunity.  They instructed me to pray that God Bless America.  They taught me that This Land is Your Land and my land and we'd best defend her at all cost.  America, that is my country, my home!  I learned to Pledge Allegiance and place my hand over my heart.  John Wayne put it in a way that only he could, "Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be."

"Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry

You can't grow up in a family with military background like mine and not love your country.  My grandfather served in the Korean War and was one of The Chosin Few, a survivor of one of the greatest military battles of all time.  My father (as well as his twin brother) served during Vietnam (AirForce & Marines).  My husband and I met while serving in the United States Air Force (yes, I too took an oath to serve and defend).  My cousin recently returned from Iraq.  I could name many others, family and friends alike, who have taken that oath and followed through...even to the death.  We often hear the phrase, "Freedom isn't Free" but do we really take a moment and reflect on what that means?  Do we truly grasp the countless lives lost so that we might have Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness?  So many sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who will never return.  It is because of each of them that we enjoy the land we have today. 

I could not close out this bit on our military without adding this next quote.  "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." (Samuel Adams)  No doubt many will be called to defend us in the future still, but praise God for those who step up to the plate and take it on.

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." - Nathan Hale

"I shall know but one country. The ends I aim at shall be my country’s, my God’s and Truth’s. I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an American." - Daniel Webster

America, she truly is a grand country.  My heart soars at the sight of a bald eagle and warms when our national anthem is played.  Red, White and Blue shall always signify honor, freedom and bravery to me.  I've seen a great deal of this magnificent nation.  The beauty of the land alone could take ones breath away.  The Canyons, the rivers, the mountains, the prairies, the valleys, the blue skies, the sparkling seas...she is gorgeous.  God created such a masterpiece in her.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." - Abraham Lincoln

 What makes this country so great isn't just it's geography filled with fertile soil and natural resources.  The worth of our land comes from those who inhabit it.  The people, they are the true asset.  I believe that most Americans are proud to be Americans.  To quote Thomas Paine, "Our great title is AMERICANS…"   I also believe most would gladly lock hands with their fellow countrymen in the name of their America.  We are the great melting pot of the west, the land of many faces but with one common goal...freedom. However, as important as American's are to the equation of a prosperous nation, we must remember Who truly rose us up as a force to be reckoned with.  Who blessed our crops, Who protected us, Who multiplied us?  God.  I realize the faith history of our country offends a few, but we should not discount that God's hand is on us because our fore Fathers were faithful to him.  Dare we cause Him to remove His hand by blotting Him out with legislation and judiciary process?  We were founded on a faith in God.  I pray that America will remember Who made her a great nation.

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

"Love your country.  Your country is the land where your parents sleep, where is spoken that language in which the chosen of your heart, blushing, whispered the first word of love; it is the home that God has given you that by striving to perfect yourselves therein you may prepare to ascend to him."  - Giuseppe Mazzini