(Originally posted on the website Continuum…)

WHEN THINKING patriotic thoughts, I suppose it is very appropriate to be listening to Kansas. Here is a band that is famous for American style rock-n-roll. The band is named after a state that is located right in the heart of our great nation. Plus many of their songs deal with the greatness of America and our responsibility as Americans to preserve our heritage, our freedom, and the beauty of our land. Take these lyrics as an example:

“Can I tell you something
Got to tell you one thing
If you expect the freedom
That you say is yours
Prove that you deserve it
Help us to preserve it
Or being free will just be
Words and nothing more”
(“Can I Tell You”)

Are we still free? It is up to each one of us. To be free we must be brave. September 11 taught us this to some degree. We must bravely continue our lives and not allow terror to constrict the freedom in our hearts. We are Americans. We are brave. We must walk on with our heads held high and our hearts ever open. Our compassion and generosity are major factors in our freedom. We are known for these things. What other nation pursues humanitarian efforts to the extent that we do? What other nation sends out more missionaries, social aid workers, etc.? What other nation feels compelled to send its military into the world not to conquer new lands but to preserve peace? Sure, many may argue over the motives of our government and say that we are interfering where we shouldn’t for the sake of protecting our own financial interests and such. Certainly we must consider our financial interests. Our financial strength has been one of the biggest contributors to our freedom. Don’t bite the hand that frees you! Let us be brave, compassionate and free. Let us preserve our freedom and prove that we deserve it by our courage and caring.

How do we remain compassionate in the face of terrorism? Do our enemies mistake our generosity and compassion for weakness? Do they think that they can terrorize without retribution? Maybe they think that after so many various terror assaults against us without much in the way of significant response. It seems that it took something as awful as the destruction of the Twin Towers to finally wake us up. Now we cannot allow our enemies to mistake our compassion for weakness or tolerance. It seems to me that heIn the light of recently renewed warnings of terroristic activity in our country, especially so close to home in New York City, this is where my thinking is on the matter. We must remind ourselves of the qualities that make us truly American. We must first fight ourselves and our own apathy in order to be men and women of character and integrity. That is the toughest battle, which must be fought on a daily basis. Prevail in that struggle and we will truly be free. We will be able to walk with our heads held high. We will have courage to live and give from our hearts. We will not be intimidated by terrorists. Their inhuman acts will only serve to temper our characters and steel our resolve to be the best of the best in all the world.

Yes, I love this land. I believe that we have the greatest country that ever was. The freedoms and opportunities that we have are amazing! It is unfortunate that so many Americans do not see the opportunities. We need a new crusade. Someone wake the American populace! Bring out the history books. Tell us again of great leaders, courageous explorers and passionate dreamers! Raise the flags again! Sing the anthems! We are Americans! Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. Let us prove that we deserve our freedom. May our freedom always be in heart and in deeds and never merely in words. who is the most loving can also be the most angry when the interests of his heart are threatened. Here we must prove that we deserve our freedom. The same principle of love that causes us to give of ourselves in helping others is what should drive us to courageous defense of those that we love and unwavering and unmistakable justice toward those who would harm the ones we love. It is the same principle that causes a man to flame with jealousy when one mars the honor of the woman that he loves. Compassion and justice are two sides of the same coin. We must traffic in both aspects of such commerce in order to buy our freedom continually.

In the light of recently renewed warnings of terroristic activity in our country, especially so close to home in New York City, this is where my thinking is on the matter. We must remind ourselves of the qualities that make us truly American. We must first fight ourselves and our own apathy in order to be men and women of character and integrity. That is the toughest battle, which must be fought on a daily basis. Prevail in that struggle and we will truly be free. We will be able to walk with our heads held high. We will have courage to live and give from our hearts. We will not be intimidated by terrorists. Their inhuman acts will only serve to temper our characters and steel our resolve to be the best of the best in all the world.

Yes, I love this land. I believe that we have the greatest country that ever was. The freedoms and opportunities that we have are amazing! It is unfortunate that so many Americans do not see the opportunities. We need a new crusade. Someone wake the American populace! Bring out the history books. Tell us again of great leaders, courageous explorers and passionate dreamers! Raise the flags again! Sing the anthems! We are Americans! Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. Let us prove that we deserve our freedom. May our freedom always be in heart and in deeds and never merely in words.

CORRESPONDING PICTURE GALLERY:

• Sunset from Brooklyn