I BELIEVE IN AMERICA. I believe it became great because of its faith in God, its hope for independence, and its love for freedom.

I believe in America. I am grateful for its glorious past; I am awed by its unbelievable present; I am confident of its limitless future.

I believe in America. I am not ashamed to take my hat off and stand at attention with my hand over my heart when Old Glory passes by. I do not apologize for the lump in my throat when I repeat the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

I believe in America. I am not embarrassed by the tears in my eyes when I hear “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

I believe in America. Like millions of our citizens, I want a free choice, not a free hand-out. I prefer an opportunity to prove my abilities on the job rather than a license to demonstrate my frustrations in the street.

I believe in America. I am an old-fashioned American with a new-found determination to do my part to make democracy work—to cast that ballot, pray for my leaders, serve when and where I can, and emphasize her positive qualities.

I believe in America because she is still the most generous of all nations---giving untold millions in aid to Third World countries and sending missionaries to feed the hungry and starving souls of our world.

I believe in America because she is good! She is good because her doors are still open to those of other lands, remembering that she is made up of those who came to these shores searching for freedom and opportunity.


In a few days we will celebrate America’s 231st birthday. She deserves a festive salute. After all, she broke free from British shackles, survived a civil war that nearly cost her national soul. She fought and won against two foreign enemies on soil not her own, stood against aggression in Korea and Viet Nam, and kicked some desert sand in the face of a two-bit dictator in the Middle East before ending his tyrannical reign.

Let the fireworks begin. Let the bands play. Hoist up the Stars and Stripes. It’s time to proclaim what’s good about our nation. Are we perfect? Of course not! We have lots of challenges before us, but what nation on earth is any better? May the motto, “In God We Trust,” found on all our currency, be forever emblazoned on the hearts and minds of our people.

I believe in America!