On Greatness

Happy 4th of July.
Happy Independence Day. The birth of The United States of America.

I sit here early in the morning hours contemplating what it means to be American. I was made an American by birth. I was born in the city of Kent, Washington. Yeah, right up in the Pacific Northwest, that’s the place. I was blessed to be a part of this mighty giant by virtue of nothing other than chance. I could have found myself incarnated into any family anywhere in the world. I could have been born in Australia, or Denmark. Maybe China, or Argentina? Who knows? Doesn’t matter. I am an American Citizen because I was born here.

Americans are great aren’t they? We do great things. We create incredible products. We develop amazing new technologies. Our military is the strongest on earth. We really have it going on, don’t we?

So, as an American Citizen, what have I done that is great?
I dropped out of Art school.
No, wait... I graduated college with a B average and went on to... no, sorry. My mistake. That was someone else.
I came up with a cure for that one disease... oh what was it called? Shoot. That wasn’t me either.
I did spend eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve... does that count?

Let me see... what is really great? Who shaped cultures? Who defined nations?
Jesus Christ did... He was friend to the downtrodden and the poor. He healed the sick and fed the hungry wherever he went. Yeah, but Jesus was a Jew from Galilee, not from New Jersey.
Mohammed. His teachings have become the basis for the fastest growing religion in the world! Oh, wait. He was Middle Eastern too.
Buddha... Crap. He was Indian.
Confucius! Yeah I like... Jeez. He was Chinese.

Maybe I should avoid religion. I know I will look at world peace!
Gandhi! Gandhi brought nonviolence to the worlds eye, and Gandhi was... what? Indian too?
Well Mother Theresa would certainly rank number one in that... You’re kidding! Born in Macedonia?

Well Conquest! Who was the greatest military leader in history?
Alexander the Great? Greek.
Adolph Hitler? Like it or not he made taking over Europe look easy—even if he was a psycho genocidal megalomaniac. Yeah, but he was German. Err, well Austrian.

Let me try writing. Whose work influenced the world?
William Shakespeare—English.
J.R.R. Tolkien—English.
Hmmm.
Does anyone see where I am going here?

Please don’t misunderstand. Americans have done great things. Hell, I have done great things. With the children I work with, I mean, my own kids seem to think I am pretty great. I know I did a great job when I chose my wife. And I don’t want anyone to think that I don’t love my country. I do. Eight years of carrying that damned machine gun says so (It was heavy you know.)

What I am saying is this:
We are not great simply by being born great. Greatness is made by determination, strength of character, charisma, and a little luck. The entire world has made contributions that have shaped American Culture—for good or bad. But we as Americans do not hold the monopoly on greatness, pride, or richness of culture. We are leaders in the world community that many in said community have a hard time following these days. Today, on the birthday of this magnificent nation, I encourage you all to take a moment to reflect on true greatness. Those who earned it, and not born into it. I know when I think about it, it makes me that much more appreciative of the Greatness in inherited being born American.
Take a moment to appreciate what you have!
Take a moment to be thankful!
And Take a moment to appreciate all those from around the world whose efforts have made the world a better place. American or otherwise.
Finally, also remember those whose blood was spilled to give us the right to be great.
Semper Fidelis.


Peace.