What Makes America Great?
Samantha Kane:
To me America is as much about its physical attributes as it is about its ideals. And this song embodies that for me. I can picture the purple mountains majesty and the amber waves of grain. And Ray Charles’ is my favorite version.
The Declaration of Independence: It’s spirit underlies everything we do as a country and as individuals.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
I could have done a whole list (you know how I love those), but instead I asked a few writer friends, what’s one thing that makes America great to you? Not all of them were Americans. I grabbed people who have been guest authors here on the blog, or on my website.
One thing that became clear as I read the responses was that for most of us our idea of what America is or represents is very personal. I think…despite its flaws and vociferous criticism both at home and abroad…I think America still means something to all of us.
I’ve listed the responses in the order I received them.
Noelle writing as Chloe Harris:
For me a great thing about America is the neighborhood parade we particiate in on the 4th. No sign ups. No regulations. It’s a parade for the people by the people. Just show up at 8am in the middle school parking lot and you’re in. It’s a candy tossing/catching free for all and everyone has a great time. The mayor even shows up almost every year.
It’s so charmingly rockwellian, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Karen McCullough
http://www.kmccullough.com
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America, which is
without doubt one of the most important documents ever written:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for
the United States of America.”
Katherine Kingston:
http://www.katherinekingston.com
Stephanie Julian:
www.stephaniejulian.com
Small-town 4th of July festivities with homemade apple dumplings,
cringe-worthy cover bands murdering Journey, blue ribbons for the best
chocolate cake and fireworks I can see from my backyard.
L.B. Gregg
http://www.lbgregg.com
One thing that makes America great, to my mind, is our ability to lend each other a hand when the chips are down, even when we disagree. And while we’re often divided, ultimately we have a single identity. Jasper John’s Flag (oh I love a manly artiste), simple, straightforward, and plain, manages to convey that spirit of unity. New times, new causes, new rights to defend-we adapt, change, grow, and yet, somehow, that spirit of unity prevails.
Karen Anders:
http://www.karenanders.com
Thanks for including me. I think America is great because of its pioneer spirit. The grit and determination of its people has made this country great. When it was fractured, a man who embodied that spirit stepped forward and held the union together.
Lincoln fought to keep the country together and for that, for his sacrifice 
we owe him a great debt of gratitude. He was a true pioneer both in his rearing and in his spirit. He made sure the world would remember that the Civil War involved an even larger issue. With his famous and emotion-laden speech in dedicating the military cemetery at Gettysburg, he said: “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain–that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom–and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
His famous words should echo in our hearts every day.
Virginia Kantra:
http://virginiakantra.com
John and Abigail Adams from the musical 1776. Never mind the ineffectiveness of Congress or the hardships at home. Their dedication to an ideal, their commitment, service, and sacrifice – relived by so many, especially those now serving in the armed forces – are what make America great.
Lissa Matthews:
Music is my one thing that makes America great. The Boston Pops doing the 1812 Overture on the Fourth of July, a choir singing Battle Hymn of the Republic, the singing of the National Anthem before a Nascar race, a church choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus, Big Band era music, Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare For The Common Man, the Florida State University Seminoles Marching Chiefs, drum lines, and a whole bunch of others that I can think of that would take up way too much of Sam’s blog.
Shelley Munro:
http://www.shelleymunro.com
I’m not an American, but as a visitor, one thing that makes America great for me is the beautiful National Parks. I’ve attached two photos. One is of Yosemite National Park and the other is of Mount Rainier National Park and me 
.
Each time we visit America we try to visit different parks
and have visited well-known ones such as Yellowstone and Mesa Verde and some that are not as well known such as Black Canyon and Petrified Forest. Americans are lucky to have such easy access to nature. Spend a day, or longer, and explore the wilderness!
So, tell us what makes America great to you!! Happy Fourth of July everyone. Have fun and be safe.
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