In the simplest of terms, July 4th is a day that we celebrate in honor of the year 1776 when we as Americans signed the Declaration of Independence, from that moment on it was adopted by the Continental Congress. Whatever that means. Let's be real here, all of our freedom has been earned.

After losing my father, Master Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas J. Formosa, when I was eleven years old, I wake up everyday knowing that freedom isn't free. Men and women fight for our country daily to ensure that we as Americans can live carefree lives. And yes, I know that we are not a perfect country but hell, we sure have come a long way and have a hell of a lot to be thankful for.

Our independence isn't just those fighting for our country. It's their family, their friends... all of us. We are America. I remember back when I was in seventh grade my teacher referred to the United States as a melting pot of cultures and ethnicity and personalities. We are black. We are white. We are gay. We are straight. We are Muslim. And we are Christian. We are America.

Independence to me is knowing that I will not be shunned for my choice of background and culture. My great grandparents came to America on a boat from Italy. Before our generation, America was a place to come for new and exciting adventures. A place people knew that they could come to and live long lives full of freedom and opportunity.

People are so quick to point fingers and express their hatred for one another. When I have children, I want them to live in a country that does not judge someone by the color of their skin or by the gender they choose to identify as. I understand that we all have opinions and that the world is not a perfect place but, I think that it is time we choose to love instead of hate. It's time we choose to be united instead of divided.

The men and women that are fighting for our country are our Independence. They are fighting so that we can be who we are. They are fighting so that we can believe in whatever God we choose to believe in.

I have never been more proud to have a father who served for our United States Marine Corps. I've never been more proud to have a best friend serving in the Army. I have never been more proud to consider myself an American. But let me tell you one thing... we never lost our greatness. America is and will always be great. There's no such thing as making America great again. There is nothing wrong with us.

And so on this Independence Day I ask you to reflect… What does America's independence mean to you?