In God We Trust

I always get a little bit emotional on the 4th of July. I believe that we live in a chosen land. It may not be perfect, our government may have its problems--but I know that we live here for a reason, and I feel so blessed to live here. There is such sadness and oppression all around the world, and yet--we were born here, in a land of opportunity. I remember once in 11th grade we were singing a song in choir about the words on the Statue of Liberty:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

We suddenly stopped singing as we watched our choir teacher begin to weep. At the time I didn't fully understand (and I still may not fully comprehend) the beauty that those words represent. God Bless America and the troops all over the world that are helping to protect our freedom.