This 4th of July was different for me. It marks the first time in 24 years that I celebrated our nation’s independence as a civilian. I was 17 years old the last time I was not in uniform for the 4th, and this year’s holiday is more introspective than most. To pare down my myriad thoughts and memories, I chose to spend some time thinking about freedom and independence.
I greatly value definitions, and often use them in my writing to remove ambiguity and biased from a chosen topic. I also spend copious amounts of time in a thesaurus because a different part of my mind is opened and unlocked when looking at various ways to express the same word (on an insignificant note, ‘unlocked’ happened to be the synonym I found for ‘opened’). As I thought of what freedom and independence mean to me, images flooded my mind. From the observed sacrifices of my brothers and sisters, to seeing firsthand what the lack of basic freedoms and independence look like around the world, my experiences provide a deep well from which to draw. But I also realize my experiences and conclusions of the meaning of freedom and independence are bias and personal. So to the dictionary I went.
A couple definitions deserving of your consideration:
Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; the state of not being subject to or affected by (a particular undesirable thing); the power of self-determination attributed to the will.
Independent: free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority; not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence; capable of thinking or acting for oneself; not connected with another or with each other; separate.
As we wrap up Independence Day, I aim to continue to focus on and be grateful for my freedom and independence, allowing the true definitions and implications of those words to frame my appreciation of not only the holiday, but every day. My gratitude is fitting and worthwhile, and our freedoms are something to be celebrated often.
To close, I was reflecting on the many occasions I have been asked if I was offended or angered by things like kneeling during the National Anthem and flag desecration. My answer has always been the same. I am encouraged by and appreciate the fact we live in a country where those things are allowed. Regardless of your opinion and moral qualification of such acts, the fact remains that we live in a very special country where the law protects our rights of expression, and I was proud to serve and protect the sanctity of those rights for over 20 years.
I pray your 4th was blessed, fruitful, and fun. Let’s not wait another year to appreciate this great nation.
Written by David Gutierrez
