Without doubt, we boomers have lived the golden era of America...most amazing advances in science & technology, most historic political upheaval & change ("Where were YOU when Kennedy was killed?"), and without argument the best folk & rock music ever produced. The soundtrack of our generation-- both melody & lyric--exactly captures the ethos of who we are and what we experienced and how we FELT. Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?...There's a man with a gun over there, a-tellin me I got to beware...Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Too many best lines that take us back to EXACTLY where we were, what we were doing, who we were with, what we FELT. The generations we spawned cannot feel what we feel or love what we love...including the great privilege of becoming American survivors. Of our parents' collective relief of winning a world war, or the cultural homogenization of 3-channel television and one Billboard Top 40, or the revolutions of the 60's, or the pain of Vietnam, or the nuclear staredown of Soviet communism, or the undiluted patriotism that erupted from The Miracle on Ice, or post 9/11 U-S-A.
Happy 250th birthday, America. Your 70 to 80 year old kids are grateful for you beyond words...
What a great flashback! America hadn’t been taught to hate itself yet. I don’t know all the reasons why people have become so disillusioned with America but I do know that it was a lot more fun to be alive and enjoying life back in the “good old days “ of our youth. I hope you enjoy our 250th birthday/ anniversary, I know my family and I will. 🎂🎉🍻!!!
I really love this article! What a time you grew up in with so many amazing things going on and our country's 200th birthday! I remember being in grade school at the time. We went to some kind of huge convention, but I really don't remember the details of where it was. Maybe Long Beach? Maybe Philadelphia? Maybe a museum somewhere that looks like Philadelphia?
I remember seeing the Declaration of Independence which I think was behind glass, something tells me it was not the original, but I honestly can't remember because it was too long ago. Maybe these were two separate occasions one, in Philadelphia and one in Long Beach somewhere? Who knows.
But I remember being in a gigantic building and there were lots of vendors and everybody was celebrating. They were giving out hats and noise makers. There were two significant events. One was a conversation I had with my teacher or some other adult on the trip remember. I will always remember how that conversation made me feel about our country.
I had asked what the big deal is all about. I said why are so many people getting together to celebrate right now? We celebrate the 4th of July every year, why is right now so important compared to other 4th of July celebrations? She said we are 200 years old as a country! And then she talked more on the significance of freedom and tried to help me imagine how young 200 years really is, but at the same time, why 200 years of independence and success as a country was also extremely important.
The one thing she said that really stood out to me was, the next time they're going to be celebrating this type of a celebration will be 50 years from now and you'll be in your 60s. So it's going to be decades before you get to celebrate the freedom our country provides in such a magnanimous way.
I've actually thought about that conversation multiple times since then. While I don't remember every detail she communicated, I remember the feeling. I remember feeling so proud of our country. I remember feeling so happy for my freedom. I remember feeling so thankful to service men and women who were willing to sacrifice their lives so that I could go to this type of an event. That's the feeling I remember. Maybe that's why I love our country so much, certainly one reason.
The other significant event was looking at the Declaration of Independence. Whatever lesson we had that day, whether or was a replica or the real thing, I remember realizing and understanding that it was that one piece of paper that signed my freedom into existence. I remember wanting so badly to take a copy of the Declaration of Independence home with me. Someone made it happen. I don't know who but I will be forever grateful.
I remember reading it as best I could when I was younger. I held on to it for a long time but I have no idea where it is now. But it has always been an extremely important document to me. I'm a free spirit too so my freedom is, aside from a beating heart, the most important thing to me.
I have a big and glorious American flag flying in front of my home right now. The sad part is, I never felt I could do that when I lived in Santa Barbara. I have since moved to Texas and absolutely love living here. There are flags literally everywhere you go. This state, well most of it, truly loves America, freedom, the military, and everything that goes with red, white, and blue! It has been incredibly refreshing to live in a community where I can talk about my love for our country and not be met with strange looks or negative vibes. I will never understand how someone can choose to so severely criticize this country while exercising their freedom of speech in the very country that gives them the right to do so. I'm not saying this country is perfect, but as far as I'm concerned it's the best country in the world.
This is the best. I have been reading you for a long time. It's been my honor to be be able to read your column. You love this country and anyone else who loves it enjoys your writing. Thank you so much. This was a great piece. I'm sorry for your wife's passing, but to die is to gain. You lose the world and you Gain the presence of God. May God always bless you and your entire family and may God always bless America.
Without doubt, we boomers have lived the golden era of America...most amazing advances in science & technology, most historic political upheaval & change ("Where were YOU when Kennedy was killed?"), and without argument the best folk & rock music ever produced. The soundtrack of our generation-- both melody & lyric--exactly captures the ethos of who we are and what we experienced and how we FELT. Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?...There's a man with a gun over there, a-tellin me I got to beware...Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Too many best lines that take us back to EXACTLY where we were, what we were doing, who we were with, what we FELT. The generations we spawned cannot feel what we feel or love what we love...including the great privilege of becoming American survivors. Of our parents' collective relief of winning a world war, or the cultural homogenization of 3-channel television and one Billboard Top 40, or the revolutions of the 60's, or the pain of Vietnam, or the nuclear staredown of Soviet communism, or the undiluted patriotism that erupted from The Miracle on Ice, or post 9/11 U-S-A.
Happy 250th birthday, America. Your 70 to 80 year old kids are grateful for you beyond words...
What a great flashback! America hadn’t been taught to hate itself yet. I don’t know all the reasons why people have become so disillusioned with America but I do know that it was a lot more fun to be alive and enjoying life back in the “good old days “ of our youth. I hope you enjoy our 250th birthday/ anniversary, I know my family and I will. 🎂🎉🍻!!!
Happy 4th! 250 is going to be epic.
I really love this article! What a time you grew up in with so many amazing things going on and our country's 200th birthday! I remember being in grade school at the time. We went to some kind of huge convention, but I really don't remember the details of where it was. Maybe Long Beach? Maybe Philadelphia? Maybe a museum somewhere that looks like Philadelphia?
I remember seeing the Declaration of Independence which I think was behind glass, something tells me it was not the original, but I honestly can't remember because it was too long ago. Maybe these were two separate occasions one, in Philadelphia and one in Long Beach somewhere? Who knows.
But I remember being in a gigantic building and there were lots of vendors and everybody was celebrating. They were giving out hats and noise makers. There were two significant events. One was a conversation I had with my teacher or some other adult on the trip remember. I will always remember how that conversation made me feel about our country.
I had asked what the big deal is all about. I said why are so many people getting together to celebrate right now? We celebrate the 4th of July every year, why is right now so important compared to other 4th of July celebrations? She said we are 200 years old as a country! And then she talked more on the significance of freedom and tried to help me imagine how young 200 years really is, but at the same time, why 200 years of independence and success as a country was also extremely important.
The one thing she said that really stood out to me was, the next time they're going to be celebrating this type of a celebration will be 50 years from now and you'll be in your 60s. So it's going to be decades before you get to celebrate the freedom our country provides in such a magnanimous way.
I've actually thought about that conversation multiple times since then. While I don't remember every detail she communicated, I remember the feeling. I remember feeling so proud of our country. I remember feeling so happy for my freedom. I remember feeling so thankful to service men and women who were willing to sacrifice their lives so that I could go to this type of an event. That's the feeling I remember. Maybe that's why I love our country so much, certainly one reason.
The other significant event was looking at the Declaration of Independence. Whatever lesson we had that day, whether or was a replica or the real thing, I remember realizing and understanding that it was that one piece of paper that signed my freedom into existence. I remember wanting so badly to take a copy of the Declaration of Independence home with me. Someone made it happen. I don't know who but I will be forever grateful.
I remember reading it as best I could when I was younger. I held on to it for a long time but I have no idea where it is now. But it has always been an extremely important document to me. I'm a free spirit too so my freedom is, aside from a beating heart, the most important thing to me.
I have a big and glorious American flag flying in front of my home right now. The sad part is, I never felt I could do that when I lived in Santa Barbara. I have since moved to Texas and absolutely love living here. There are flags literally everywhere you go. This state, well most of it, truly loves America, freedom, the military, and everything that goes with red, white, and blue! It has been incredibly refreshing to live in a community where I can talk about my love for our country and not be met with strange looks or negative vibes. I will never understand how someone can choose to so severely criticize this country while exercising their freedom of speech in the very country that gives them the right to do so. I'm not saying this country is perfect, but as far as I'm concerned it's the best country in the world.
This is the best. I have been reading you for a long time. It's been my honor to be be able to read your column. You love this country and anyone else who loves it enjoys your writing. Thank you so much. This was a great piece. I'm sorry for your wife's passing, but to die is to gain. You lose the world and you Gain the presence of God. May God always bless you and your entire family and may God always bless America.
Great stories! Too bad about Woodstock. You would have caught Jimi Hendrix doing the National Anthem!
🙏🏼❤️🤍💙🙏🏼 God bless America! 🙏🏼❤️🤍💙🙏🏼
Tribute to Woody Guthrie - 1958
This Land Is Your Land ......this land is my land
_________________
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York island,
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters;
This land was made for you and me.
As I was walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway;
I saw below me that golden valley;
This land was made for you and me.
I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding;
This land was made for you and me.
When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.
As I went walking I saw a sign there,
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing.
That side was made for you and me.
In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?
Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.