Last night was the premiere episode on the History Channel of a multi-part series called America: The Story of Us.  Being the history nerd that I am, I made sure to tune in to watch. 

The first episode gave an abridged version of the beginnings of our great country.  The settlements of Jamestown and Plymouth were recounted along with the hardships those first settlers faced.  The program then delved into the beginnings and causes of the American Revolution.  What struck me was how united our young country was.  There was no finger pointing, whining, and lying between Republicans and Democrats.  It was a group of farmers, land surveyors, merchants, seaman who put their petty differences aside to fight what was at the time the greatest military force on the planet. 

Today, we as country have come so incredibly far but how much farther can we go when many know little of the word "united" nor care for what it means.  How can we do what's right for the good of all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion when we many in our government blame their peers rather than take action themselves?  How can our great nation live up to its reputation of a land of freedom when so many act as hypocrites to the people they lead?

I am proud to be an American.  I'm proud to serve it through a volunteer force of men and women, just as our first Army was made up of volunteers.  I cherish my freedom to be able to write these words, to attend Mass and practice my Catholic faith, to soon marry the person I love, and to live my dreams without fear. 

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; have we strayed from this?  Where has our unity gone?