Each year on July 4, we wave the American flag and wear red, white and blue. We attend cookouts and parades, and we watch fireworks after sundown. But how much time do we spend pondering the meaning of it all? We invited a diverse group of locals to tell us in their own words what the holiday means to them by asking one question: What does patriotism mean to you?
Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, 33, Rome
Kenyan-born runner Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, who became a U.S. citizen in November 2010, represents the U.S. Olympic team in the 10,000 meters race in London this month.
When I first came to the U.S., I had $50 in my pocket, almost no experience as a runner, and all my earthly possessions in a duffel bag. Today I own a home, I have two college degrees and another on the way, and I'm just so blessed to call this great nation home. Patriotism means devotion to one's country, and in America, I think that devotion comes from the opportunities available to people here. I am someone who has always taken pride in being an honest, hardworking person, but in many parts of the world, those two things won't get you very far. I love the fact that, in America, hard work really does pay off, and that makes it so easy to have pride in being an American. I think when you love something or someone, you want to do your best for them, and to me patriotism implies doing your best for your country - working hard to make it a better place for everyone, not just for yourself.
Two weeks before becoming a citizen, I won my last race as a Kenyan, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. That was the best way to get ready for the next wonderful phase in my life, by running through our nation's capital, seeing all the monuments to the many great patriots who had the commitment to making sure that this was a place where, with a willingness to work hard, someone could start where I did and end up where I am. I'm proud to call that sort of place my home.
Dr. Noel Haskins, 54, Morningside
Dr. Haskins is an interventional radiologist at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. He was an Army doctor for 11 years until 1995. He left private practice after 12 years to work at the VA hospital.
The Army put me through college and medical school. They paid for my education and I owed them time back. In 1991, I went to Saudi Arabia during the wind down of Desert Storm. That was a tremendously broadening experience for me. Most of my prior experience had been in the comfort of a well maintained hospital with four walls and a roof and it gave me a better perspective of what soldiers have to put up with in the field.
I have had a rewarding career — active duty, private practice and some academics — but taking care of these guys and gals and their families has just been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. It doesn't matter where people come from, what they look like, what their background is, you learn that the most important thing is people taking care of people.
Patriotism to me is a nebulous thing. It is our American community — on the levels that we deal with day-by-day, the local level, but also on a larger state, regional, and certainly national level — being proud of what we have done. By no means have we done everything right, but we have done it very well. We have made mistakes along the way, but we have done better than anybody else has done in the world up to this point. To be a part of that community at all these levels, that is patriotism.
Floria Izadi, 55, Alpharetta
Fearing religious persecution, Floria Izadi left Iran for the U.S. when she was 17 years old. The mother of two has called Georgia home for more than 37 years.
To me patriotism is about loving your country as well as giving back. This country has provided so much for me and has enabled my family to establish a new and peaceful life. As an Iranian-American who has lived in two drastically different countries, I do not take the freedom this country offers for granted and being involved in the community is my way of giving back to all that this city, state, and country have provided. I am an active member of the Professional Organization of Iranian Americans that consists of professional Iranians with similar backgrounds whose main goal is dedication to the community through service. I feel that there is no other country on earth that can offer so much to its citizens. For this I am grateful to be a United States citizen and celebrate this country with honor.
Jim Warren, 66, Calhoun
Warren is retired from the Tennessee International Guard after more than 20 years of service. He is a state captain for the Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia, Inc., a group of motorcycle riders and other citizens whose mission is to escort and support family members of fallen military, first responders and other servicemen and women.
To me patriotism is love of country. I have always loved this country, but being in the Patriot Guard Riders — when you see the eyes of the family when we have a flag line at the airport or at the service — you see how much they appreciate us doing what we do. They know there is someone out there who appreciates their loss. Without those folks, I don't think we would be enjoying the freedoms we have today.
The families' reactions are sometimes more emotional than others and we are right along with them. Once when we did an escort from the church to the cemetery for a soldier from Leesburg, we went about nine miles to just north of Albany and both sides of the road were lined with local citizens. You go the entire distance with tears coming down just seeing the support our regular citizens have for these kids and the families.
Leighton Jordan, 19, Suwanee
On June 23, Jordan was crowned Miss Georgia. In January, the former ballerina who danced with the Houston Ballet at age 15, will travel to Las Vegas to compete for the title of Miss America.
To me patriotism is a sense of appreciation for this county. I feel that oftentimes with the media and negativity surrounding us, we only focus on what is going wrong in America, when in actuality there is so much going right compared to other countries.
I wake up every day and realize the freedoms we have and the opportunities we have in America. Small things to me make a huge difference such as thanking our servicemen or the policemen that protect us every day. I have a very strong faith and because we have freedom of religion in this country, I go to church and pray in public when I can.
I remember in kindergarten and first grade [at Chattahoochee Elementary School] we were saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day. We had two times in our day when we were thanking our country. We don't do that anymore so that is something that affects our younger generations. I think patriotism has changed, but I think we can turn it around.
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