Giving Thanks

O beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful, for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!

O beautiful, for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
'Til all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine!

O beautiful, for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!

I have found during the last six years that this day, almost more than the Fourth of July, means more to me in regards to American Freedom. Perhaps if I had lived during the Revolutionary War it would be different.

I lived through this day six years ago. While I was in Oklahoma and not directly involved, it affected me and those around me. My heart and soul were wrenched as I, along with the rest of the world, watched in horror. My words cannot adequately convey my feelings that ran rampant during that day and the days afterwards.

Since then I continue to give thanks for the continued safety and freedom that we are blessed with in this country and I give thanks to the men and women who actively serve our country to keep us free.