When I think of Memorial Day, I think of the men and women who have served and sometimes given their lives to protect our Country. But, when I thought beyond that…what does “My Country” mean to me? For many, this would be the beginning of an essay about how our country is more than just the land we live on, but I think that leaves the very basic foundation of our lives ignored.
Our country IS the land we live on. Native Americans have always understood the important of living with the land. When our forefathers came here, it was for land first, because land meant freedom from the rule of their previous land.
Through the years, as our servicemen and -women fought to protect our freedom, they were first and foremost protecting our land. Without it, we have nothing.
For me, if I am to think of a symbol of our land, it would be the American Bison, in some places roaming now as it did in the beginning.
Thank you, men and women who have served our country. Thank you for protecting our freedoms, our lives and our greatest treasure — the land itself.
