It’s been a minute since I’ve felt patriotic. The good old-fashioned fire in your heart, tear in your eye, sound of a bald eagle screaming in the distance type of patriotic. I don’t want to be political here, but there hasn’t been much going on lately that gets me fired up to be living the American dream.
I attended World Ag Expo for the first time this year, and at 9 a.m. when the national anthem was sung and every person on the grounds stopped to pay tribute to our nation’s flag, I felt that burning American pride again. The reverence and respect that was paid while we listened to the words that paint a story of our American heritage was powerful. The Stars and Stripes waved in the California breeze and painted a beautiful image against the blue sky. Two fighter jets flew over the grounds, the sound of the engines roaring in our ears. As I stood next to people of all different backgrounds, ethnicities and occupations, I felt proud to be an American, proud to be part of the 1% of the population that’s feeding the world and proud of my fellow show attendees – who feel that same love and respect for our country.
Later that day, I attended a session in which Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California), and a committee of lawmakers listened to the concerns of producers surrounding the 2023 Farm Bill. I was a little starstruck to be in the same room as the third in line to the president – the closest I ever have been and probably ever will be to the leaders of the greatest country in the world.
A few weeks ago, I was attending a national Holstein show – prepping cows to go in the ring and feeling the usual chaos that comes with show morning. As the first few lines of the national anthem drifted into the barn, clippers shut off, tail combs were shoved in pockets, hats and hands placed on hearts, and a quiet reverence overtook the barn. Tears welled in my eyes as a young girl so beautifully paid homage to the USA and the entire barn stood still.
These small moments over the past few months have made me realize that I often take for granted the simple freedoms of this great nation – I married my best friend, I enjoy the outdoors every weekend, I freely believe in God and get to worship Him how I please. I grew up feeding cows every day, enjoying the beauty and grace of agriculture. I chose to go to college and chose the path of my career. I can speak and write freely. I work for a company that is quite literally the definition of the American dream – a family-owned operation that started as a tiny regional newsletter and blossomed into a national publication.
Though the future of this great nation might look unstable, I have faith that the hardworking folk that built this country feel the same way I do and say this with the same amount of conviction: I’m proud to be an American.
