Behind the Badge: Why love America

The early Independence Day celebration, hosted by Don Tubbs at Tubbs Hardware, drew community members and local law enforcement officers who gathered to express their appreciation for the country’s foundational liberties.

"We're just privileged to have so many things that a lot of other countries don't," said one attendee. "Our freedoms, first and foremost. We've got rights and freedoms that no one else has."

The event comes amid a shifting landscape regarding how Americans view their own country. While recent data shows that 93% of Republicans report being extremely or very proud to be American—with only a single percent reporting little to no pride—national pride among Democrats has seen a significant decline, tumbling to 27%.

When asked what they would say to fellow citizens experiencing a decline in national pride, one attendee responded directly: "I would tell them to wake up, because you just don't understand the blessing that you are afforded in this country."

For some attendees, the appeal of the United States remains a global draw. "It must be a really great place. Everybody in the world's trying to come here," another participant noted, pointing to daily opportunities for self-determination.

A local crime scene investigator at the event echoed the sentiment, emphasizing social mobility. "Every single day is an opportunity to change your life, become something better, become what you want to become," the officer said. "With hard work, you can practically be anything that you want in America."

The gathering also focused heavily on the role of local law enforcement, described by attendees as vital to preserving civic order.

"The military defends our nation, but we would notice it immediately if we didn't have law enforcement," said an attendee named Mike. "Yes, we can have freedoms to live, but we need someone to protect us and to maintain those freedoms."

International visitors at the event also shared reflections on American culture, noting that the country's distinctiveness lies less in its physical scale and more in its daily civic interactions—citing an instance of police officers buying food for citizens at a nearby convenience store.

"It's not the food. It's not the size. It's not the trucks," one observer remarked. "It's the fact that strangers are so genuinely kind."