The American spirit of independence is the sole reason for the Fourth of July. Since our revolution, and the subsequent founding of a nation, America has been a beacon of freedom. The spirit of independence fueled the means that achieved our freedom. Since those times, America has continually offered people with that same spirit of independence the chance to thrive.

We so longed to be a nation different from the ones that preceded us.

Our freedoms were protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the civic virtue of our leaders. We were to have religion and state separated and yet we were a nation, some might say, founded on faith. That is true in more ways than one. We demanded security of our persons and possessions and that the press be allowed to write about what it deemed fit and necessary.

In essence, we were the epitome of idealism, and manifest destiny was no hindrance to our already idyllic dreams and fate. We were continuously driven by that radically different attitude that we had about the world. We dominated in innovation for a long time.

Is America losing its greatest strength, that free, independent spirit? Will we lose our hold in the world and fade away? Will we be destroyed entirely, either militarily or economically? That which makes America great may slowly be dying out: The free, hardworking spirit of America. It comes in different shapes and sizes sure, but with each embodiment, the spirit remains the same. It is the American cattle farmers of the West, who are slowly losing their jobs to corporate cattle ranches. It is the local business owner who loses his business and customers to Walmart or Target.

But America is also the young CEO of his new company, which slowly spreads and becomes separate franchises and this young CEO becomes a billionaire and all his investors become rich and happy, as well as his customers who get low prices.

America is every everyman. It is a beautiful nation based on the everyman's ability to make something of himself, using that same free spirited energy that has driven Americans since our country's birth.

America is a nation based on the freedom to do anything that makes you happy, whether that be getting rich or just living quietly in Wyoming; it is whatever you can do with it. The spirit is there for whoever seeks it, and they will recognize its beauty and its importance.

The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Peter Reindl is a junior at Munster High School.