Editor’s note: To mark the nation’s 250th birthday, The Coronado News spoke with spectators at the city’s Independence Day parade, asking them about the values and meaning of America.
As the United States marks its historic semiquincentennial, the milestone represents freedom and liberty to some, and continued striving for a more perfect union to others.
Amid some differences in opinions, however, everyone agreed on one thing: the importance of the freedoms in America, and keeping it that way.
It’s structurally built into our country, the Constitution, which is, I think, very important and is what has allowed our freedoms to remain as long as they have.
Coronado resident Dan Free
“It’s structurally built into our country, the Constitution, which is, I think, very important and is what has allowed our freedoms to remain as long as they have,” Coronado resident Dan Free said. Free is stationed at Naval Air Station North Island as a helicopter pilot and has lived on the island for over a decade.
Free said no system of government is perfect, and acknowledged the country has made mistakes in the past and present, but he believes the average American has much more opportunity than in other countries and that liberty is sacred.
“The world was different in 1776 than it is now, but the core values of allowing people the freedom to pursue life, liberty and pursuit of happiness … I think we take that for granted,” Free said.
We celebrate the birth of our nation … for us, this means coming and showing our patriotism, despite the differences in political opinion that we have with the current administration.
San Diego resident Marisa Boelk
“We celebrate the birth of our nation,” San Diego resident Marisa Boelk told The Coronado News. “For us, this means coming and showing our patriotism, despite the differences in political opinion that we have with the current administration.”
“I think our forefathers had it right,” Boelk said. “They created a system which allowed for checks and balances and for the people to have a vote and the power.”
However, Boelk believes the values the country was founded on might not be completely upheld today. “By the power of the people, they are (upheld), but not by some of our elected officials,” she added.
Boelk said that makes it ever important for her to pass on what it really means to be an American to her family and children.
In her view, being a patriot means freedom and liberty for all, including people who may look different or who weren’t born here. “They deserve the same rights according to the Constitution.”
Boelk said she believes that being an American means upholding rights for others and holding that no one is above the law.
For Free, patriotism is about service. “Doesn’t necessarily have to be in military service, but just serving your fellow citizen … to help your neighbors, your countrymen,” Free said.
You’re free to live your life however you want to do it.
San Diego resident Justine Barber
Justine Barber, a San Diego resident who emigrated from Jamaica and became a citizen 25 years ago, said there was freedom of religion in her homeland, but the level in America is different. “Being here, I mean, you can really do and say whatever you want without fear of repercussions,” Barber said. “You’re free to live your life however you want to do it.”
Arizona visitor Suzie Corralejo at her first Coronado parade, shared the same sentiment, but with a caveat: “The values have changed with the Republicans and under the Trump administration.”
Corralejo said she’s celebrating values that the country was founded on, and the importance of upholding rights such as freedom of speech. “Like, I can tell you today that I don’t agree with the administration,” she added.
For Jamey Free, Free’s wife, it’s important to remember who the country is made of.
“It’s the people,” Jamey Free said. “The way that the country comes together, like, it’s so unified. As much as people want to say we’re not, in moments of strife and things like that, we are one country.”
There’s something about the United States, despite our warts, that is still very attractive to the rest of the world.
Coronado resident Dan Free
“There’s something about the United States, despite our warts, that is still very attractive to the rest of the world,” Dan Free said.
