This Saturday is the 4th of July, our nation's celebration of independence, and I'm sure that there will be plenty of parties, parades, fireworks, and much more all across this land. You should already know my feelings on Patriotism and flying our nation's colors not only on special days like these, but every day. We've come a long way in two hundred and thirty-three years, and for the most part it's been a good trip.

Being a baby boomer I remember the old holidays with the parades, returning soldiers, tunes like "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again," and "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy." I remember going by the schools and standing outside you could hear the children repeating the Pledge of Allegiance and singing "My Country Tis of Thee," and if it was before the 60's you could even catch a glimpse of the kids praying.

People took pride in who we were and what we stood for, and we were respected around the world. Then the 60's came and things changed. It was "Make Love, Not War" and prayer was taken out of schools. Marijuana and other drugs such as LSD, Cocaine, Heroin, were no longer being used by addicts, but professional people such as Lawyers, Doctors, Professors, some of whom are in powerful positions these days. The music and the media has had an adverse effect on the manner our young people live and act. Vulgarity and loose morals are common place these days, and the home and marriage has taken a beating over the years.

I long for the days when things were right with America, when we had to worry about other countries going to war with us instead of worrying about us being destroyed from within. I think about "amber waves of grain" and "Purple mountains majesty." Bring back the days of Andy, Barney, and Opie when TV was clean and the whole family could watch because a life lesson was being taught. I like Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA," but to me it doesn't even compare to Kate Smith singing "God Bless America." Yes, we have our problems, and we're not where we used to be in the eyes of the world, but we can be. It's time to be "Proud to be an American" again. It's time to take pride in who we are and what we stand for, and stand tall. It's time to celebrate America. There's no better time than her birthday. Yes, we sing, "God Bless The USA," and "God Bless America," but we ought to be praying for America to bless God. Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.