A patriot's love for the United States

  • Published
  • By Dr. Roy Heidicker
  • 4th Fighter Wing historian
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) --  In a way, the Fourth of July is more like Valentine's Day. It is an opportunity for me to reflect on that great object of my affection: the United States of America.

My wife is a very understanding woman. She knows I love her dearly and she is the center of my world. But she also knows that I have a passionate, all-consuming love for America. I think a major reason I became a historian was so I could pursue my passion full-time.

When I was a child, my heroes were the great Americans who fought and won World War II. I made models of many of the planes, tanks and ships of that war. I thought, as many did, that these people were "our greatest generation."

When I served in the Marine Corps, I felt I was emulating my heroes of World War II. Later when I was in graduate school, studying different periods of U.S. history, I learned about all the great Americans who have served our nation in times of need. From the Revolutionary War through the war on terrorism today, dedicated men and women have stood up and accepted the challenge.

July 4, 1776, was merely the beginning of this commitment to liberty and freedom that has continued these many years. Think of a world without the United States of America. Would it be ruled by Hitler's Nazis or Stalin's Communists? Would Al-Qaeda terrorists be annihilating most of the people on the planet? Our nation has stood, and still stands, as the Minuteman, Yankee, Doughboy, G.I., Marine, Sailor and Airman confronting evil in the world.

This Fourth of July, reflect on the sacrifice and dedication of our founding fathers. Celebrate 230 years of our great nation.