Bluebonnet News readers celebrate American pride through photos

By
bbnewseditor
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Charlene Kirkland shared this photo of a U.S. flag being presented at a sporting event.

For nearly 250 years, America has been defined not just by its history, but by its people.

Last week, as our nation prepared to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Bluebonnet News readers on Facebook were asked a simple question: What makes you proud to be an American? Well, we asked and many of you answered!

Photos of waving American flags, veterans, military families, children dressed in red, white and blue, breathtaking sunsets, hometown traditions and moments spent with the people who matter most quickly filled our timeline. Every photo was different, but together they told the same story—one of freedom, faith, family, sacrifice and community.

As you look through these photos, be reminded that the American story is still being written every day by the people who call this great country home.

Jennifer Coolidge may have joked in the iconic movie Legally Blonde 2 that the Fourth of July makes her want “a hot dog real bad,” but these photos remind us there’s so much more to America’s birthday than fireworks and cookouts. It’s about the people, the memories and the values that make us all proud to be Americans.

Glenn Smikal stands atop an LCM-8 military landing craft at Fort Davis in the Panama Canal in 1988, proudly representing America while serving overseas.
Coach Pollock of West Hardin CISD and his family visited Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown Battlefield in Virginia, where they reflected on the sacrifices that secured America’s independence while spending time with their son, who is stationed nearby.
Pam Isaacs Stover shared this photo of her husband in Afghanistan in 2002 during his first firefight following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Jennifer Bergman shared this photo of Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard with her twins, Hudson and Ella, and nephew, Louis Bergman.
Dedra Langston shared this photo of a U.S. flag hanging outside her home.
Tina Ripkowski shared this late-1980s photo of her father and uncles, members of Dayton’s well-known Ripkowski family. The brothers all served during wartime, returned home safely and have since passed away, leaving behind a proud legacy of military service that spanned multiple wars.
Joan Bondurant shared this photo of the massive American flag that greets international travelers entering the immigration hall at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). She says seeing it at work makes her heart soar every time.
Rachael Baker shared this sunset photo overlooking Lake Livingston near Onalaska, where the beauty of the American landscape speaks for itself.
Heather Liggins shared this photo of her grandchildren celebrating Independence Day in 2022 at their great-grandparents’ home on Tarkington Prairie.
Nell Kelley shared this photo of her favorite military serviceman.
Teela Dawson shared this photo of a patriotically painted pony.
David T. Lott shared this photo of homemade brownies decorated with “250 America” in icing to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Steven Thomas shared this photo of a flag-draped porch.
Tammy Tullos shared this photo of Old Glory.
Joseayeimy Alex Lopez shared this photo of a favorite veteran.
Cleveland Councilwoman Rachel Hall shared this photo of U.S. flags at a military cemetery.
Dana Welch Pittman shared this photo of her grandbabies ready to celebrate the Fourth.
Susan Domingue shared this photo from a June 27, 2026, visit to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, honoring her son, a Purple Heart recipient who continues to carry the wounds of war and remains her hero.
Laci Pierce shared this photo from Afghanistan’s Kunar Valley in 2013, where mountain terrain often made landings impossible. As a medic on the hoist, Pierce was lowered to the ground to treat and prepare wounded patients before both were lifted back to the aircraft.
Kristy Berg Lake shared this photo taken atop Flattop Mountain in Anchorage, Alaska, where family and friends gathered around a large American flag in celebration of the nation’s enduring spirit.
Cynthia Spruill Billings shared this photo taken from Fort Travis on Bolivar, where she watched the ferry arrive from Galveston carrying her future spouse for their first date.
Kathy A. Claeys Southwell shared this photo from the November 2025 Veterans Day program at Dayton High School, where the MCJROTC honored those who served our nation.
Sheila Lusby shared this photo from Sargent, Texas, where her family celebrated Independence Day while admiring a large American flag proudly displayed beside a boat across the canal.
Tommy Bowen shared this photo from his homesite, where the sun shines through the trees onto the American flag.
Arthur and Sharon Board shared this photo of their great-granddaughter proudly dressed in patriotic red, white and blue.
Becky Welch shared this photo of flags being presented at an event.
Samantha Nicole shared this photo of her family ready to celebrate Independence Day outside their festively decorated home in Dayton.
Cindy Murphy Millis, a native Texan, shared this photo of the American flag flying proudly in her backyard in Alamosa, Colorado.
Lehnis Cloud shared this photo of her Fourth of July celebration.
Brittany Blanchard Eide shared this photo of her family spending Independence Day together in Jasper, Texas.
Mindy Walters Ellis shared this photo of the Texas and U.S. flag sharing the same flagpole.
Ashleigh Henderson shared this photo of a Texas sunset.
Charlene Kirkland shared this photo of a U.S. flag being presented at a sporting event.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Sadly for a great many Americans there is nothing to celebrate. Our country is hated and not trusted around the world. We have a convicted felon sexual predator in the people’s house who has hijacked the celebration for his own personal and political gain. I graduated high school in 1976 the Bicentennial year. The country was kind and united celebrating the momentous event. Our government was stable and the United States was a beacon of hope and freedom around the world. A dependable leader that was the envy of the world. Unfortunately that is not true at this 250 year mark. The U.S. has started more illegal wars than any other time in our history making us the bully of the world. We’ve abandoned our neighbors and have become a country controlled by oligarchs and big corporations that care nothing for the greater population. Inflation continues to cripple working families and our senior citizens. Fuel prices that have stopped vacations and limited travel for the ordinary middle class family. Our seniors choose between eating and medication and are getting no relief or sympathy from a government that is supposed to work for them and not against them. Illegal tariffs have resulted in the cost of everthing to increase in price and cripple the ability of citizens to live comfortably resulting in credit card debt to sky rocket. The hate and division driven by a white supremacist criminal pedophile president has resulted in the firing of leaders in the military and key government positions of independent agencies whose functions are to protect the people. This corrupt government has aligned itself with Russia and North Korea, abandoning the people of Ukraine. A world war and an attack on democracy is looming because we abandoned the very aspects that made us a leader in the pursuit of freedom and democracy. White supremacy is embraced and hate towards people of color and GLBTQ people is celebrated on this 250 anniversary of this country by many white hateful so called fake Christian Americans. There’s not much to celebrate or be proud of as our democracy slips away. Texas is a minority majority state and the only minority majority state that is controlled by Republicans. Texas has many more registered Democrats than Republicans but they don’t vote. A small hateful minority continues to to make the rules for the majority. Why the registered Democrats in Texas refuse to vote is a unexplainable travesty. We should have no Republicans in control of our state. My hope for America is that the majority of Texans will vote in the mid terms and let their voices be heard. If only the majority of Democrats would vote we’d become the state we should be and not what we’ve become. I implore you to go vote especially if you’ve never bothered to vote in the past. The majority has the power but refuse to vote and continue to let a minority of Republicans rule this state. If you’re not registered to vote you must register and vote. If you’re suffering and having difficulty to simply get by you must stop the minority to continue to make the rules for the majority of Texans. Please make your voices heard and exercise your duty to vote!

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