Dear Editor:

You know you have a right to love your country, be it the USA, Bohemia or North Korea (even if you might not realize how cracked your leaders may be). There's nothing wrong with loving one's country, especially when you know your country is great.

Does being an American make you great? No. America does not make you great. You make America great. You make America beautiful. Every ounce of sweat you shed for your family. Any time you stop to help a stranger. Any time you help a friend in need. Every tear you shed for the uncaring, or prayer you send for the hardened of heart. Any time you see injustice and try to right it. Any time you see an innocent person in chains and try to free them. Any time you give blood. Any time you "teach a man to fish." Any time you turn your small lemonade stand (or what-have-you) into a million-dollar franchise. Any time you play to win. 

When you stand up for those who can't stand for themselves, when you lay it all on the line for what you believe in, for those you love or even those you'll never meet, you make America great.

You are America. Happy Fourth of July, 2013.

Tom T. Jones
Wiscasset