Every July 4th, Americans across the country strut in their red, white, and blue, wave those flags, and witness a spectacular showing of fireworks. Americans are patriotic and believe in their country, but we truly only show our extensive thanks and admiration to our veterans on the denoted days of the year. Why not show your pride on any of the other days?

It doesn't have to be July 4th to celebrate Independence Day.

After all, that is the real name of the holiday. The 4th of July is the date. What we are commemorating is the birth of America; the date on which we declared our Independence.

Everyday, we live out our freedom, absent-minded of the sacrifices made to gain it. We take for granted the day-to-day liberties that our forefathers fought tirelessly for and that our soldiers continue to protect today. We live out our daily routines while miles away our fellow American is struggling in the fight of their life so that we can sleep in peace at night. Somewhere, someone is burying their loved one who died for our freedom. Somewhere, a soldier is going on 48 hours of no sleep so that we can wake up in the morning and go to work without any worries. Somewhere, prospects are training, exhausting themselves physically and mentally, so that they can become a soldier who deserves to wear the uniform.

Everyday, wake-up and be proud to be an American. Respect the men and women who got us here, and who work hard to maintain the America our Founding Fathers created. Raise the Flag the other 364 days of the year. That post you carefully craft for July 4th, post on a random Wednesday, just because you care, and just because you understand how lucky you are to be an American. Let us not forget our history.