Happy 4th to everybody!

Here are the words to two songs my brother Carl sent me last night:

American Soldier by Toby Keith 

I'm just trying to be a father, Raise a daughter and a son, Be a lover to their mother, Everything to everyone.

Up and at 'em bright and early, I'm all in my business suit, Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots,

I don't do it for the money, there's still bills that I can't pay, I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway, Providing for our future's my responsibility, Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,

And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekend's been too strong, I just work straight through the holidays, And sometimes all night long.

You can bet that I stand ready when that wolf growls at the door, And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price. I've counted the cost, I know the sacrifice, Oh, and I don't want to die for you, but if dyin's asked of me, I'll bear that cross with honor, 'Cause freedom don't come free.

I'm an American soldier, an American, Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand, I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight.  American soldier, I'm an American, An American, An American Soldier. 

And here is one more favorite of many: 

God Bless The USA  by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today.  Cause the flag still stands for freedom And they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.  Cause there aint no doubt I love this land.  God bless the USA. 

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee, Across the plains of Texas, From sea to shining sea, From Detroit down to Houston, And New York to LA, Well there's pride in every American heart And its time we stand and say...

That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up.. next to her and defend her still today, Cause there aint no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

And I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.  And I gladly stand up . . stand up nest to you and her still today Cause their ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA!