The Fourth of July is more than barbecues and fireworks, more than partying and music. This Thursday will be one of the many times we stand proudly with our right hands over our hearts beating to the sound of freedom while our flag proudly ripples in the wind while showing off her vibrant stripes and stars.

We watch and admire in awe knowing that each star and stripe woven into the flag was fought for with love, tears, blood and pride. We live in America; we defend ourselves with the military because we are willing to take the risk, we help others because we know that will benefit them, we stay strong because we know that will help all of us.

Here in America we have dreams and we try our best to make them reality. We can take the Hogwarts Express and end up in the Harry Potter Theme Park. Who would have thought of making a tangible world where you could bring Disney characters to life? Who would have thought of traveling to the moon and walking on it? Who would have thought of doing… the impossible?

In the USA, we fight hard until the very end, whether we win or lose, we walk away with dignity and pride while our flag shows off her colors and sings her song in the wind. As a proud American, I am happy to say that we live in “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Happy Fourth of July!

Lisa Marie Dias, Redmond