There’s a reason why immigrants have streamed into America for over two hundred years: it’s the greatest land of opportunity ever created. No matter where you come from, this is where you have a legitimate shot at designing your life and making your dreams come true. In America, your life can become an example for others to follow or a warning for others to heed. You can be born poor and earn a fortune, and you can be born rich and lose it all. Or you can create something for you and your family in the middle-it’s up to you. What a country! You don’t even have to be born here to think of yourself and be viewed by others as a true American. Unlike other countries where birth and ancestry determine citizenship, in America it’s about taking ownership of the American ideals, culture, and way of life.
I risk being labeled as arrogant, since American patriotism seems to have gone out of fashion in certain intellectual circles. But I’ll say it straight: America is the best of the best. The Judeo-Christian roots of America bleed through the founding documents and are unmistakably the greatest asset our country possesses. Our collective character still carries the legacy of the godly men who boldly initiated our unprecedented independence from the crown of England and established our republic. From the moral laws provided by the Ten Commandments to the inalienable rights bestowed upon all individuals, the founders rightly considered strong religious beliefs to be a precondition to rock-solid character. “In God we trust” is no mere political slogan but rather an unshakable conviction upon which both the moral fiber of an individual and a nation must rest.
Individually, good character exists within each one of us to the degree that habits of virtue dominate habits of vice. More than any other single factor, our character is responsible for our achievement or underachievement in life. As any good football coach reminds his players, “Character is what you’re made of.” In politics, in business, in marriage or in sports, “character,” as Heraclitus put it, “is destiny.” Likewise, the character of a nation is the sum total of the virtuous citizens. America’s character is America’s backbone.
America’s distinctive character flows both from the founding fathers and the Heavenly Father who inspired them. Because of the moral legacy of our forefathers and despite our imperfections, from its founding through this day, America has demonstrated exceptional moral strength. As with individuals, a country’s character is revealed when it is under fire. When an individual or a country is tested, you find out “what they’re really made of.” Time and time again, when America has been tested, the red, white and blue fibers of virtue have been crisply and proudly illuminated.
For example, Todd Beamer, Jeremy Glick, and the other heroes of United Flight 93 revealed their character and by extension, the character of this nation when they were drafted into battle and abruptly tested on the morning of September 11, 2001. They answered well the call they had not expected to receive. Aware of the fate of the other hijacked planes, these heroes launched a successful counterattack against the sub-human elements who had seized control of their flight and intended to use the jetliner to kill hundreds more of their fellow Americans. Had these Americans aboard Flight 93 lacked the courage of character to fight back, it is likely that either the White House or the Capitol would have been destroyed.
The bold sacrifice of the Flight 93 passengers is a great reminder of the role that individual citizens play in the defense of our freedoms. We have walked our talk better than any nation on the face of the earth. Beginning with the bravery of our founders and their fight for freedom, through two world wars, the Great Depression, space disasters, and the attacks of 9-11, we have bounced back from both adversity and mediocrity alike. And, I believe we have what it takes to make yet another comeback.
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