On These Days as America Turns 250

On these days, as America turns 250, free dog treats were left at “The Bark Bar” in a Fairhope neighborhood. Chicken meatballs, beef sausage, and chicken-and-berry bars.

Families swam and picnicked at Mobile Bay, and an inflatable flamingo was pulled from an above-ground pool.

From Alabama to Colorado, American flags hung from motorcycles, pickup trucks, and a gas station Fourth of July tree.

A retirement was celebrated. Friends wore matching T-shirts with the retiree pictured as Mary Poppins over the word "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

A husband called his wife from a motel elevator:

“I have good news. I got a raise."

Horses pulled a wagon along a Missouri highway. Three Amish, dressed in black, sat on folding chairs. The mother held her baby close.

A food order echoed through a diner:

"Z-Man and Rocket Pig sandwiches with street corn."

At the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, one sign read, "The war thrust America onto the global stage. America's horizon changed." Another carried President Woodrow Wilson's words to Congress in 1917: "The world must be made safe for democracy."

In Lawrence, Kansas, soccer fans gathered at the Red Lyon Tavern to watch the World Cup. A fire truck honked as it rolled past. Lawrence was proud being home to the Algerian national team. The country’s flags hung in store windows, and downtown trees glowed with red, white, and green.

A sign in one window–in both English and Arabic–read:

"No matter where you are from, we're glad you're our neighbor."

That same city once stood at the heart of “Bleeding Kansas.”

In 1856, pro-slavery forces crossed from Missouri, attacking the Free-State town of Lawrence, burning buildings and destroying newspaper presses as the U.S. headed toward civil war.

On the western edge of Kansas, thunder rolled across the plains where the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Comanche, and Sioux once hunted buffalo.

Nearby, the cemetery at Fort Wallace overlooks the Smoky Hill Trail. Soldiers guarded the wagon route as Americans headed west in search of gold, driving the Native nations from their homelands.

Grave markers tell how some of the soldiers and first settlers died.

Diphtheria.

Frozen to death.

Killed by Indians.

Hung by a vigilance committee.

Run over by a railroad car.

A rainbow arched over a more recent headstone. It belonged to Dale Anderson, a sheriff's deputy and cowboy.

Also on these days, people from Canada, China, Colombia, India, Morocco, Nepal, Panama, Russia, and Vietnam gathered at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene to take the Oath of Allegiance and become citizens of the United States.

They raised their right hands, promising to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States.

The library archivist welcomed them.

"By choosing this path, you bring vital perspectives and unique talents that enrich the fabric of our great nation and make us stronger. President Eisenhower understood that citizenship is defined by both privilege and duty."

General Eisenhower's granddaughter told them:

"You completely inspire me. You have earned this. You have worked for this. You have made sacrifices. We are all descendants in this great country, which is the joy of making the United States culture unique. President Carter once said we are a mosaic of cultures…Thank you for inspiring us to be better citizens ourselves.”

Then the judge spoke.

"It is my great honor to be the first to say, 'Congratulations, my fellow Americans.'

“With your citizenship here today, the future of this nearly 250-year-old nation is now yours to help shape.

"I hope you will share your talents and your stories with others in your community so that we can all benefit from your unique experiences.

"The most important benefit of citizenship is your right to vote. That responsibility is now in your hands. Do not be indifferent.

"I hope you spend today celebrating. You have spent years pursuing this dream, and this is the day to celebrate this incredible accomplishment. And if you're a World Cup fan, the United States Men's National Team could use all of your support."

“Congratulations, my fellow Americans.”

All on these days.

Happy 250 America. You’re a big, beautiful, complicated, diverse, maddening, inspiring, crazy country. I’m lucky to live here.