I was on the bus coming home from Boston this weekend and I heard a little boy in front of me softly singing “God Bless America”.   My heart melted, and not because he was adorable (which he was), but because he sang with such an innocent passion, that I couldn’t help, but think, I love America.

I love coming back to America after a long vacation, craving my own bed, an American beer that’s ice cold, not luke warm, and a real hamburger.  I actually look forward to packing my bags and coming home.  Home, to the country I love.

I love and deeply respect the service people who put their lives on the line to allow me to have the freedom to share my thoughts in this blog.  I understand that Freedom isn’t Free.

I love that we are a nation of equality.  If you want it, if you can dream it, it can be yours (provided you’re willing to work for it…there is no such thing as a free lunch, and if there is, strings are usually attached).

I love that I have the freedom to choose anything I want for myself.

During these hard times, we need to remember that feeling that we get when we put our hand over our heart to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” at baseball games.  We need to remember how we felt on 9-11, when we see our nation’s flag, or while we are driving through the nation’s heartland.

We cannot forget these feelings, as they are the ones that will lead us down the road to success in the quest for retaining America’s freedom.

Like the little boy on the bus, we have to be passionate for America at all times.  We cannot take her for granted.  For if we do, then we risk losing our freedom.

I end with a quote from a favorite song of mine in honor of them men and women who are sacrificing their lives to serve our country proudly in the Middle East.

“I thank God for my life, for the stars and stripes.  May freedom forever fly, let it ring.  Salute the ones who die, the ones who give their lives, so we don’t have to sacrifice all the things we love” – Zac Brown Band

I dedicate this article to my dad, a once fearless Air Force pilot, and Erik, a dedicated Marine who loves this country more than life.

-Lizzie