I swore an oath

I am a sucker for patriotic stuff.
I proudly fly the American flag year round.
I cry every time I hear America the Beautiful.
I love how fireworks look magical.
I became a naturalized American citizen on April 17, 1974.
I was 19 years old.
I still remember the proud moment I took the oath and was told:
There is no prouder title than “Citizen of the United States of America.”  It is now yours. 
YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.
I wept like the baby I was.
I celebrate every year on July 4th that I do indeed live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And I won't ever take that for granted.