To my country -

I'm going to start off by saying how very sorry I am that you're going through so much right now. Many people across the nation have decided that it is necessary for them to protest in a disrespectful, malevolent manner, and I want you to know that's not what the majority of the citizens are about. I'm so sorry that your streets are being desecrated. I'm so sorry your citizens are being mocked and abused. I'm so sorry that this is what this beautiful country, the UNITED States of America, has become. This is not how a united nation should be acting.

There are still those out there, though, who believe in the beauty of this land. I will be the first to admit I've had my concerns, but never for one moment have I questioned whether or not I love my country. I have claimed terror at the speculation of what may come of this country, but never have I thought that we wouldn't come out on top. We have been fighting for our freedoms for over 240 years, and I doubt anything going on within the country at the moment will hinder us from pushing forward. We are fighters. We are passionate. We are Americans.

I am, and have always been, extremely proud to call myself a United States of America citizen. Multitudes of citizens feel differently than I, and to me, that is one of the saddest things about this country. We have been afforded so many glorious gifts just by being American citizens, and they are taken for granted by those who aren't proud of their nationality. Americans are often looked at as egotistical, emotional, manipulative, and ostentatious by other countries. I can't say that all citizens are so, but I've definitely met my fair share that are just that. The fantastic thing about the United States is, whether we like it or not, we have the freedoms to be the ways described. We can decide that we're not particularly proud to call ourselves citizens of the US. It's in our Constitution. I'm still exceptionally proud that I am one.

I love you, tremendously. When the Twin Towers were hit I was almost 9 years old, and despite being in the prime of my youth I remember every fiber in my body sparked with patriotism. My favorite song at that moment was "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood, and I would belt it at the top of my lungs because the passion for my country was, and still is, so real. I grew up in a family full of military men and women. My uncle was in training in the US Army when the towers were hit. Shortly after he got out of training he went for a tour in the Middle East, and I remember very vividly what it was like. While sitting in the car one afternoon my aunt received a phone call from him, and the tears in her voice were enough to rock me to the core. This particular woman is not known for her sentimentality or emotional responses. She's a rock of a woman; one who holds her family together like glue. Seeing her go through that made my young heart ache, and my understanding of what it meant to be an American much, much stronger.

I knew from an early age that I'd join the military. It had been a goal of mine; to follow in the footsteps of my family before me. I've had family members in every single war the US has been involved in since the Civil War, maybe even further. My goal for after high school was to enlist as a United States Sailor. Being in the Navy meant that I'd be reaching for the stars and displaying, what I thought, was the ultimate act of patriotism. Unfortunately, life had other plans. It was also during high school that I vowed I'd never be a mistress to a man of the military. My heart would never belong to one whose heart was not 100% mine. Life had other plans there too.

I am proud because of what you are and what you stand for, America. My faith and trust in you is forever. I will continue to love you, America. You are strong. You are brilliant. You are the greatest country in the world.

Troubling times are upon us, and it's up to your citizens to make a difference. United we stand, divided we fall. Right?