As I was walking to the library Tuesday night, I found the most uplifting sign I have seen since the beginning of the Iraqi conflict: a huge sidewalk mural of the United States flag with “God Bless America” written beneath it.

I agree, God bless America. God bless America for letting me pursue a higher education free from persecution. God bless America for allowing me to choose whoever I want to vote for, without having to worry about punishment. God bless America because everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the conflict in Iraq and is able to express it free from harm. God bless America because I believe I have been blessed with a nation that every country hates, yet every country enjoys our freedom and economic prosperity. God bless America for letting me choose whether or not I sign up for the military and not have my family held hostage at gunpoint if I choose not to.

More importantly, God bless our troops who have chosen to protect and serve our country in the dangerous conditions that they do with the only intent to bring a lunatic and his regime to an end.

God bless the individual or individuals who drew the mural. You have lifted my American pride to a greater level and I am sure you will do the same to many others for the days to come.

James Casterton

Junior

Production and Operations Management