It’s a dynamic time of the year in a special spot in the universe called America. And what makes our country so special anyway? That’s not easy to figure out. At least not for me. I remember a special time for me in the fall of 1956 when I flew home from a place called Japan. I had been gone a little over a year and when the pilot said “if you look out over the wings to our right, you can see a beautiful site I call home. A place called America.” It was surprising, at least to me, just how quick I was to look out to see the surf of the Pacific breaking on the beaches just south of San Francisco. As we passed over the shoreline before landing at Travis AFB I surprised myself gaping out and looking at the features of the land like I hadn’t seen anything like this before.

Not long afterward I found myself walking down Market Street in a very distinct American city called San Francisco. I looked in wonder at all the new cars zipping around on the streets and the people dressed up like they just walked out of a Sunday School. I had business inside of the nearby Federal Building but instead I spent several minutes gawking at the sites of America. I had forgotten what America looked like and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I was on my way to Boston via Stonewall, Oklahoma and one would easily think I was walking on the moon.

I had taken some leave and eventually made it to my destinations. My fi rst destination on my way to Boston was Stonewall. But I wondered all the way through my travels what is so different about my native country. Even Stonewall, my hometown, had a specialness about it. I continued to wonder. Was it the land? Well no. Other countries have prairies, mountains and wooded areas. Cities and farms too. But there is something totally distinct about our home country that makes it homey. Things such as Chevrolets and a McDonald’s arch sign in a neighborhood of colonial style homes. A line of fancy horses all shined up for a parade by the Roundup Club with riders dressed up like cowboys and ready to go. Won’t see that in Japan.

But wait! What’s really the difference? Well, it’s hard to say. Is it the prosperity or the great superhighways? Perhaps it’s the hustle of big American cars plying the street and highways. Maybe but probably not. In 1943 the British found themselves surrounded by “Yanks.” The prosperous looking American boys had mysteriously appeared almost out of nowhere. Hundreds of thousands descended on the island to defend the Brits from German invasion and for themselves to invade Normandy in June 1944. They were grateful but the foreign troops were viewed with some alarm. One newspaper described them as “over paid, over fed and over here.” They were accused of being over confi dent, generous, helpful and very patriotic.

Throughout its history Americans were quick to respond to any country that threatened their freedoms. When the storm clouds of war gathered, Americans never hesitated to step up, to bear arms and give generously of their treasure and even their own lives to protect America and its friends. That’s just another reason we celebrate and honor our veterans every year on Veteran’s Day. It’s why we celebrate July 4th, the birthday of our beloved country. It’s how we celebrate the arrival home from the battlefield of our soldiers who so bravely step up to preserve our liberties and yes, the very earth we walk upon. We thank those who have saved our country and honored our flag these many years that a place we call America has existed.

And don’t forget another right they sacrifi ced for. Our right to worship God freely. Remember to exercise these rights. Be sure and go to Church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

waynebullard@sbcglobal.net