American In Sydney

Happy Fourth of July to all those around the world. I know you must think that I'm a couple of days late, however, July the Fourth was not only one day for me this year, but rather several days.

The most memorable Fourths for me have been up in Boston (where I had been for a number of years). It always involved picnics with friends on the Esplanade listening to the Boston Pops. It always involved food and drink and the night ended in a sky lit by fireworks. The weather was always beautiful and people were in particular happy moods - maybe because it was usually a day off work. :) Sure, 1776 was an important year to Americans, but how many really understand the meaning of the day? Has it more become a holiday of picnics and fireworks?

I realised that I didn't really truly understand the importance of the fourth until this year - the year spent in a foreign country, with no picnics, no American music, and no fireworks.

I went to work like on any other Wednesday. Didn't really think of it being the fourth till I got to the office where I found that my desk area (and that of the 2 other Americans) was decorated by an Australian colleague who was truly geting into the spirit of July the Fourth. My desk area was covered in sparkle and beads of red white and blue and I had 2 flags. People would come by and ask what Fourth of July was and what Americans did on that day. I likened it to Australia day - a day of picnics and BBQs.

I think there was a feeling of patriotism that day and the day after and especially the day after that. You see, it's Fleetweek in Sydney. The USS Kitty Hawk is docked at Woolloomooloo Bay and there are 5000 soldiers throughout the city. There were about 30 men who came into work on Friday to volunteer at the organisation. I went over and spoke with them, not only as someone eager to meet other Americans, but also as a citizen to express my gratitude for the service they are giving to my country.

When people see US soldiers, they think of the war in Iraq and how we shouldn't be there. While I usually am also one of those "people", this week, when I saw the US soldiers, I was reminded of how much they have given up to serve the US and spread goodwill around the world, and I am proud to call myself an American.