Fellow Americans, it’s the Fourth of July.

Independence Day. The birthday of America. Today is a great national holiday for a great place.

I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that we live in the best country in the history of humanity, and it’s worth looking around and taking stock of how lucky we are to live here.

We are the leader of the free world. I’ve seen what that means as a Green Beret overseas. We go to rough places to protect this country and the people in it. And when our country has strong leadership, that sets an example for the world.

On a personal level, I’m fortunate to have known people who have set an amazing example for me over the years. They’ve made astonishing sacrifices to put the next generation in a better position to thrive.

In fact, knowing that past Americans laid it on the line to make my life better drives me every day. I have immense respect for these sacrifices and how they’ve built our country.

I mean sacrifices like a single mom making sure her kids have enough to eat while she doesn’t. 

I mean sacrifices like the countless generations of parents and grandparents who worked their fingers to the bone to give their families a better life.

I mean sacrifices that my fellow servicemembers have made since before our country was even founded.

We truly stand on the shoulders of giants, and I’ll be thinking about them today. 

They built this place and they, together, over nearly 250 years, put us in a position to make the world a better place.

It’s not a hyperbole to say that we’re a force for good. With America leading the way, this is the safest, most prosperous time in human history. Our forerunners have made the world a better place.

Now, obviously we have big problems. The world has big problems. That’s why I’m running for Congress, and I’m not happy about the status quo. I want us to be better, stronger global leaders.

But I want today to be about honoring the sacrifices of those who built the USA.

So, for me, the Fourth isn’t just about bourbon, or a steak, or a pool, though I think most would agree that those can be key components to celebrating America.

The Fourth is about this great country leading the way into the future and remembering where – and who – we came from.

We’re lucky to live here, and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating America today.

Derrick Anderson is running for Congress in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District – his home district. He served as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and as a member of the U.S. Army Old Guard. He grew up washing dishes and mopping floors in his mother’s restaurants around the Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg area. His website is DerrickAnderson.com