Today, we are celebrating the 246th year of America’s Independence. On this Fourth of July, as we celebrate America’s independence, we should remember that the American Dream is alive and well, freedom rings, and the United States of America is the greatest nation in the world.

Recently, a Fox News poll showed that only 39 percent of Americans are proud of the country today, compared to 69 percent of people in June of 2011. An astounding 56 percent say they are not proud of the country today. Although the polls may seem grim this year, we live in the greatest nation on earth. Even those who bash the country remain in America.

The freedoms that United States Marine Corps and World War II veteran Carl Dekel and his generation fought for are the reason why people are able to criticize America, while simultaneously enjoying the country’s benefits.

We are the most welcoming country. Those who bash America, more times than not, haven’t visited, let alone lived, anywhere else in the world. If they visit Cuba, Lebanon, North Korea, Venezuela, etc., where those countries lack basic necessities or are run by a dictatorship, I’m sure they will appreciate the greatness of the United States of America.

Our veterans fought to preserve the freedoms of this country; they fought to make this the greatest country and succeeded. Former congressman Sean Duffy said:

“When it comes down to it, we need to be proud of who we are. Don’t let anyone tell you or your kids that we should be ashamed of this country, because there’s so much to be proud of. Since 1776, the United States has only grown stronger and stronger and stronger. We’re the most innovative and creative country in the world.”

There are millions of citizens who are proud to be an American. They will fight for her like our veterans, our heroes, fought for her. America will always be the land of the free and the home of the brave. We must preserve the American Dream.

Times may be difficult now, but when times were difficult for our heroes, they did not give up. They fought–fought for our freedom, fought for the American Dream, and fought for We The People, and won. We must not take our freedoms for granted because, as Ronald Reagan once said:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

The American Dream is alive and well. We live in the land of opportunities. We can’t take our freedoms for granted, as these freedoms are not free. We must preserve the land that we love and cherish.

Home of the free, because of the brave.
Thanks to the men and women who serve today, yesterday and tomorrow.
Happy Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/0P8m8lFoUi

— U.S. Air Force Academy (@AF_Academy) July 4, 2022

We thank and salute the brave men and women who have fought–and continue to fight–for our country, the American Dream, and our freedoms. They sacrifice so that we don’t have to. We will forever be indebted for their bravery.

Home of the free, because of the brave. The United States of America, for many reasons, is the greatest nation in the world.