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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Inspiration of Olympic Proportions




I love the Olympics.  Starting from the moment that first torch is lit to the very last moment of the closing ceremonies, I am enthralled with the incredible games.  I think it’s because every athlete, every medal represents a little bit of each of us, a little bit of the American dream—the dream that with hard work, dedication, innovation, anything is possible.

But there is something special about seeing our flag raised and our anthem played that lights a flame inside me.  It’s a burning sense of patriotism and national pride.

Woodrow Wilson once said, "The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history." 

When I see fans waving our flag from the stands, or athletes wrapped in it running around the field, or even the stars and stripes on t-shirts and uniforms, I am reminded of what our nation has gone through to have the freedoms that flag represents, and what our nation now stands for among the nations of the world.

These Olympians represent the very best athletes in the world.  They inspire us all to not be satisfied with mediocrity-- to work harder, reach higher, and dream bigger.  In the same way, our nation does the same.  The United States of America is the greatest nation on earth.  And just like those athletes, our greatness can inspire freedom, democracy, and greatness in others everywhere across the world.  That is what the true American dream is all about.