| Page Views: 597 Last Visit to United States of America: - | Home of The Brave by goingsolo - last update: Jun 10, 2007 |
Everyday heroes and average Joes The United States is a large country. Summarizing the customs, traditions of activities of this vast region is a daunting task. I've seen several pages which display fantastic overviews of this country, though some unique and admirable approaches. On this page, in addition to a few random tidbits, I'm going to try something different.
Over the past several years, my travels have been confined within the borders of this country for a variety of reasons. Before anyone even asks, not one of those reasons is xenophobia. There are many places to which I would love to travel and there are regions and cultures I'm aching to explore, but time and circumstance have not permitted that.
One of the greatest things about traveling in this country is the interaction with its different people. The United States has many famous icons, from Hollywood or politik or other sources. To me, the real icons and heroes of this country are the everyday people. Oftentimes, they are the unsung heroes of our society. These are the folks who would not stand out in any crowd, whose names will not appear on billboards and who will not achieve notoriety. But their diverse stories, and, often, their random acts of kindness, have been the greatest joy of my travels. Sometimes humorous, often inspiring and even just downright odd, the stories I've collected in my travels in this country and those attached to these stories form the patchwork of this colorful quilt of diversity that is the United States of America. To me, these everyday heroes and average Joe's are quintessentially American.
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|  | Proud to be an American If tomorrow all the things were gone
I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can’t take that away.
lAnd I’m proud to be an American
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God bless the U.S.A.l
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas,
from sea to shining sea,
lFrom Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:l
I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land
God bless the U.S.A.
Lee Greenwood.
I remember hearing this song while driving home from evacuated downtown Miami on September 11, 2001. As difficult, tragic and devastating as that day was, the words were a source of comfort. America is a young country. Much like a teenager, she thought herself invulnerable. That day proved differently.
Nothing is the same after 9/11. It changed the world and it changed every American in his or her own way. Born into a generation that had not known war, I felt a sense of patriotism that was stronger than anything I'd experienced previously. Words, anthems and symbols suddenly took on a new meaning. Lee Greenwood's song reminded me that the ideals and goals that we sing and speak are tangible qualities. Despite the fear and overwhelming sadness, I felt a strong surge of pride and renewed love for this country that I call home. The song took on a whole new meaning as I finally understood what it meant to be an American.
For these reasons, I am using this page to share the stories of the average Joe's of America as a way of defining and explaining, to those who care to know, the United States of America as I see it and to explain to those who may not understand why I feel so proud to be an American. |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Vastly diversified landscape with good, decent people spread throughout." | | Cons: | "May be too large to explore within a single lifetime." | | In A Nutshell: | "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave" |
goingsolo's United States of America Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 16 - Photos: 13 | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2 | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for goingsolo about United States of America | | | | |
hunterV Sun Aug 2, 2009 18:42 UTC
Hi & thanx for your interesting story about your country that I had the privilege of visiting ten year ago... | dragonflyqueen Tue Apr 3, 2007 03:57 UTC
Hi I think your words were wonderful....Both you AND Bob deserve to be mentioned in an article of some kind, and not just on Virtual Tourist !!! This is the International spirit that is so needed in the world today..... | Pavlik_NL Tue May 3, 2005 16:04 UTC
True page! Very special country, dazzling nature, but ... well, I've also always met only nice Americans, which makes me wonder why the 1st nation's policy has become so grimm. Anyway, US rules, it's an amazing state and an example to the world. Paul | Stephen-KarenConn Fri Mar 11, 2005 17:26 UTC
Wonderful unique approach you're taking on these pages. I love the stories of people you have met along the road. Look forward to seeing more. |
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