The Declaration of Independence, approved July 4, 1776, was not only our county’s cry for freedom, but the birth of the mightiest, most caring, nation in history.

Somehow, it’s become fashionable to dismiss America’s greatness, but this is the day to remember the many blessings of America.

We are blessed with magnificent, fertile land and the spirit and technology to feed our nation and still be the breadbasket of the world.

We are blessed to be a generous, giving people. In times of disaster, Americans have opened their pocketbooks and their hearts to offer more help than any other nation –even in difficult economic times and even for our enemies.

We are blessed with a capitalistic system that has encouraged an explosion of innovation, experiments and inventions, unparalleled in history. And, we have often shared that technology with other countries in need.

We are blessed with unimaginable freedom. Yes, we’ve had serious social ills, but we are overcoming them, and America has passed more social legislation and laws guaranteeing individual liberty than any country in history. And, because we are also blessed with freedom of speech, our sores are openly debated and not hidden from the world.

Each year we celebrate Independence Day with parades and picnics, fireworks and family, and Old Glory flying high.

It’s so easy to criticize, to concentrate on what’s wrong with America, that we sometimes forget what’s right about America.

Our country was created to welcome immigrants from around the world. Walk through the mall today, or downtown Auburn, and see the diversity around us — every nation represented, every color and creed, living in one country, under one flag.

And it all began 233 years ago, with a small group of patriots and a vision.

God Bless America.

Reach Auburn resident Karen Shepherd at karen.shepherd@rocketmail.com.