I’ve caught bits and pieces of stuff on TV for America’s 250th anniversary. It prompted me to remember Tennessee’s “Homecoming ’86” celebration. The yearlong statewide event in 1986 anticipated the state’s bicentennial by 10 years. The guys at our newspaper office decided to grow beards for the occasion. It took my husband, who was still just my boyfriend at the time, quite a while to fill in a beard on his baby face.

While America isn’t perfect, I believe the ideals our country is built on is still make us the best country in the world. I’m proud and thankful to be an American. I’m sappy enough that listening to patriotic music can make me shed tears.

My grandfather wanted more than anything to join the Navy. And he did, despite having to lie about his age to get in. He served between the world wars, but as their family had grown he decided to look for work closer to home. He never talked much about his time as a sailor. But, an anchor tattoo on his forearm is vivid in my mind and how I’ll always remember him.

He was good to his neighbors and his family. On our wedding day, he told my hubs not to take any wooden nickels! He drank coffee with every meal, year ‘round. To me, he’ll always just be Granddaddy. I was always closer to my grandmother, his wife. She taught me how to play Canasta – and let me win.

I have a cousin whose wife is a lieutenant commander in the Navy. They have lived around the world in places including Japan and Germany. Their son has grown up with the opportunity to see so much of the world. I’m proud and thankful for the men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for our country. I pray every day for their safety that they’ll get to return home to their families.

So many countries don’t recognize life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as fundamental rights, but ours does. For this and many other reasons I’m thankful to be an American.

Have you or your family served in the military or as first responders? Please share your experience.