What does America mean to me?
I know I give our current state of affairs a hard time on this blog. But that doesn't change the bottom line: I love this country. I love it enough that I volunteered to serve during two active wars, driven by a pure intent to protect people. I believed in that calling then, and I still believe it today—regardless of the missteps our nation has taken over the years. One person can always make a difference.
As I sit here quietly smoking a couple racks of ribs, I’m truly thankful for the life I’ve had and the sheer luck of growing up in the United States. I'm not turning a blind eye to the heavy realities we're facing right now, but sometimes, you just have to sit back and count your blessings.
Here's to a very happy 4th of July to all the rebels out there. May your meats be perfectly smoked, and may your bourbon always come from Kentucky.
Thanks for being a part of the journey.
Respectfully, Beard Dad