2022 theme and events

This year’s Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation theme is “Proud to be An American.” This theme reminds us of Lee Greenwood’s famous song “God Bless the USA,” which emphasizes our freedom. In the United States of America, freedom was earned and must be defended.  

What do we think of when we think of being proud to be an American? We might rightly think of the Fourth of July—picnics, parades, fireworks, patriotic music, and many flags. We can think of other holidays where we freely celebrate with friends and family. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Cinco de Mayo, and birthday parties of all ages. Some might think of vacations and the ability and freedom to drive or fly anywhere in the United States and other free counties. We might think of having food to eat, clothes to wear, shelter to warm and cool us, and clean water to drink. And most importantly, we think of the freedom to worship as we please, vote in every election, have opinions, and speak freely. 

Our freedoms were written and voted on in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. 

The Declaration of Independence declares that we are a nation where all men and women are created equal and are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

The Constitution of the United States contains seven articles, including 27 amendments and the Bill of Rights. It describes how the new states operate and establishes the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of government. The Bill of Rights contains the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution and establishes the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today. 

The democracy we live in today is due to these instruments. Our men and women in uniform, with support from home at times, have defended our freedom many times in our country’s almost 250 years of existence. 

Our men and women in uniform are ready to serve and protect freedom in the nation we live in and us.