We have arrived at the anticipated 250th birthday of our great nation! We thought it an intentional moment to reflect on what it means to be a citizen. Reposting the words of our founder, John Romano, on this momentous day. While this piece was originally published in 2022, its message about the hidden heroes in our communities is just as vital today, in 2026. If you look for the good, you will find it in the citizens of our nation.
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Citizenship in the United States of America is such an extraordinary honor and privilege! We are so fortunate to be living in this amazing land of freedom. A country where we are always striving to take steps to make it better. To improve upon what we already have, to help others in need, to provide a safe and secure country as best we can by taking reasonable and sensible steps. Consider being an American citizen in some respects almost as a gift, because it is such a sensational title to have when you consider what it means to yourself, to your family, to your friends, to your community, to this great country of ours and to the world! Yet at all times bear in mind that we have responsibilities and duties as citizens, some of which are more formal and some perhaps not so formal.
What does it mean to serve our country?
Many years ago we were attending an event at the school for one of our children. During a conversation with one of the school’s superb teachers, she said to me, “Thank you for your service”. She was of course referring to my time spent as a U.S. Marine. I immediately responded to her by saying, “Thank you for those thoughtful words – but I must also thank you for your service.” She smiled and asked what I meant. I wanted to let her know that serving our country as a teacher is every bit as crucial, essential, and important as serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Likewise, this applies to so many things that Americans do day in and day out.
Who can we thank?
- Thank the farmers for their service to America.
- Thank the janitors in our buildings and the schools for their service.
- Thank the volunteer mothers and fathers standing at the counter in grade school and high school cafeterias as volunteers handing out lunches and other meals.
- Thank the forest rangers, sales personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, physicians, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and groundskeepers for athletic fields.
- Thank the carpenters, plumbers, roofers, engineers, accountants, lawyers, judges and court personnel, factory workers, chefs and restauranteurs, and many others.
- My point is simply that each citizen who is fulfilling a certain duty or responsibility in this country which helps Americans and helps others deserve to be thanked for his or her service.
Making it all happen
When you think of “service to our country,” there are a few of the more obvious tasks or assignments including such things as military service, holding political office, serving as a judge or cabinet member and much more.
- Think also of “service” to America when you have served: men and women enthusiastically, patiently and responsibly serving as the members of an American jury.
- Think of those who are pioneering the future use of electric or environmentally clean motor vehicles.
- Think of the entrepreneurs, investors, inventors, and idea men and women who are creating and developing new “paradigms” in technology and science to make a better and safer world.
Applaud their “service to America.” Look around you and see all that you can that is working to make America so wonderful in so many ways – and be mindful of thanking those for the “service” they provided to make it all happen.
Our Country: It Works
We soon will be coming upon the great 4th of July celebration weekend. My take on all of this is that we live in such a fabulous country, one that works and one that works well! We have our problems and issues and disputes – and we question one another and our politicians and policies and politics and much more. Yet – it works. It will continue to work so long as sensible and responsible people make “wise” decisions. I say to you who are reading this blog – I thank you for your service – in whatever it is you are doing or plan to do or can do or will do to help others… to help our country… to help mother earth… and to help every day to make this a better and safer place to live.
Authored by John Romano
