Small Talk: Visiting spots where liberty runs deep

During a recent stroll along the National Mall, I paused to take in my surroundings. The Washington Monument towered above me. The Capitol and Lincoln Memorial acted as bookends, while the Smithsonianmuseums lined the long grassy walkways.

I felt right at home. No place makes me prouder to be an American.

The following are some of those places that fill us with thankfulness for having been born in America and the gift we were given of being United States citizens.

·  Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota — Carvings of Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln are majestically etched into this mountain. The stonework makes you realize the permanence of the contributions to our country of these four leaders. Solid! And for another perspective, check out the nearby under-construction Crazy Horse Memorial.

·  Plains, Georgia — You realize the humble beginnings of Jimmy Carter who grew up here during the Depression. In the peanut farming president’s former home, a spigot sticks from the wall and a bucket with holes punched into it hangs below. With these humble beginnings, this is where the person who became the most powerful man in the world once showered.

·  Valley Forge Carillon at Washington Memorial Chapel — The bell tower sits high above Valley Forge National Historical Park where Washington’s troops suffered but jelled and came together as an army. At the very top of the bell tower is a flagpole. In one of those ah-ha moments, I helped change out the American Flag that gloriously flies above and overlooks this site of such deep history. That was an inspiring moment and you can also participate.

·  National Parks, every state — When Americans stand on federal land, they sometimes own everything they see and touch. Our parks preserve and are wonderful playgrounds.

·   Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore Maryland — I got here early and helped raise a massive flag–with the help of national park rangers — that flies at the spot that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Goosebumps!

·  Gettysburg—Gratefulness at the end of the Civil War, but at what cost? This is a tough place to visit.

·  Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philadelphia — Yeah, it’s cracked, but who, or what, is perfect? At one time we could touch the bell. I kissed it several times. It tastes like Liberty.

·  The Freedom Trail, Boston, Massachusetts — Along this red line, marked in the sidewalk, you’ll visit the site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, Paul Revere’s House and the USS Constitution. So much American history is packed into Boston along this path. History books come to life here.

·  Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware — This is often the first spot on American soil where the remains of soldiers killed overseas are received. While dozens of airplanes are displayed in a museum on the tarmac here, this too, is a tough place to visit.

·  Any runway on American soil — Oftentimes, when returning to the U.S. by plane, a spontaneous cheer and clapping occurs when touching down on American soil. Nothing against the rest of the world, but when traveling abroad, we often realize how good we have it.

·  Border crossings into the U.S. — Although we don’t try to smuggle anything across the border, it’s always a joy for the customs agent to wave us across the border. It’s great to carry a U.S. passport.

·  Municipal meeting rooms — I get to recite the Pledge of Allegiance more than most, except for students, since I attend so many meetings. I always look directly at the flag and say the pledge like it’s the first time I ever heard it. It’s a special moment to hear a room full of American citizens pledge their allegiance to a symbol of democracy and liberty.

·  Sporting events — The words to the National Anthem are ingrained within all of us. I saw Kate Smith belt out God Bless America at a Flyer’s game, and while it’s a moving tune, and there’s sometimes talk of picking it as the new anthem, why mess with perfection? I hear the National Anthem is hard to sing, but wouldn’t know since I usually just quietly hum along.

·  Flight 93 National Memorial, Somerset County, Pennsylvania — This column started off describing a joyful view of the Capitol. We’ve now come full circle as we embrace those 40 passengers and crew who stopped terrorists during 9/11 from likely attacking the seat of our government.

Several times I’ve covered the placing of flags on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day. Every year a vet says the same thing; he wants me to get it right in print.

“Memorial Day is not a holiday to be celebrated,” he says. “Memorial Day is a day to be observed.

“If you have not visited a cemetery for Memorial Day you have not properly observed Memorial Day.”

The blood of lost life and the red of the flag runs through that field in Western Pennsylvania, Valley Forge, Gettysburg, those graveyards on Memorial Day and Dover. It’s easy to say the pledge by rote or simply wait for the fireworks at the stadium during the anthem. So many have passed, both near and far. It’s easy to forget all the good they brought us.

As patriots, we should not forget the past when embracing our freedom and enjoying all the good we have. Though symbols can trigger a patriotic response, the true America lives in our hearts. An ember burns within us that makes us prideful Americans. Live the dream.

Bill Rettew is a weekly columnist and Chester County native. Yes, he’s a bit nationalistic. The best way to reach him is at brettew@dailylocal.com